The Centre will launch Bharat-VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) on Tuesday, introducing an AI-powered multilingual platform that will deliver farm-related information directly to farmers through mobile phones and voice calls. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will formally unveil the initiative in Jaipur.
The government has designed Bharat-VISTAAR as a 24×7 “digital agriculture expert.” Farmers can access the platform through a dedicated helpline number, 155261, or interact with its conversational AI assistant, Bharati. The system will guide farmers on crop planning, best agricultural practices, pest management, weather forecasts, market prices, and government schemes. It will also provide information on eligibility, application procedures, and grievance redressal.
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Farmers will receive details on 10 major Central schemes, including PM-KISAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Card, Kisan Credit Card, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, and PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana. The platform will send real-time alerts on weather changes and pest outbreaks to help farmers make timely decisions.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the initiative in the Union Budget 2026–27 and allocated ₹150 crore for its rollout in the upcoming financial year. The government will integrate AgriStack portals and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) practice packages with AI systems to boost productivity, improve decision-making, and reduce risks through customised advisories.
The platform will initially operate in Hindi and English and later expand to regional languages. Officials describe Bharat-VISTAAR as a “national digital backbone” that will connect Central and State systems while preserving state autonomy. The system will collaborate with non-profits, AI startups, Centres of Excellence, and leverage the broader India AI Mission and BHASHINI ecosystem. It will also incorporate farmer feedback into policymaking and research planning.
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