In a step towards deepening digital support for agriculture, the Union government is preparing to introduce a new AI-driven platform aimed at making farming information more accessible and timely.
Bharat-VISTAAR, short for Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources, will be launched on Tuesday as an AI-powered multilingual tool for farmers. The platform will deliver information in native languages through mobile phones and simple phone calls.
The tool will offer support on crop planning, pest management, weather forecasts, market trends, government schemes, and grievance redressal. It is designed to function as a single digital touchpoint for everyday farming needs.
The launch event will take place in Jaipur, where Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will formally introduce the platform.
Once operational, Bharat-VISTAAR will be available 24/7 as a “digital agriculture expert.” Farmers can connect with the AI assistant, named Bharati, by dialing 155261 to seek guidance on a wide range of agricultural issues.
After the launch, the platform will provide details on 10 major Central schemes. These include PM-KISAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Card, Modified Interest Subvention Scheme, Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization, Per Drop More Crop, PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana, PM Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, and Kisan Credit Card. Farmers will also receive alerts related to weather changes and pest outbreaks.
Bharat-VISTAAR was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2026-27. She had said, “I propose to launch Bharat-VISTAAR—a multilingual AI tool that shall integrate the AgriStack portals and the ICAR package on agricultural practices with AI systems.” A budget allocation of ₹150 crore was made for the project.
Beyond being an app, Bharat-VISTAAR will act as a National Digital Backbone connecting Central and State systems while preserving state autonomy. The platform will expand through partnerships with not-for-profit organisations, AI startups, technology firms, and AI Centers of Excellence. It will draw on the national AI ecosystem, including the India AI Mission and BHASHINI, to deliver interactive support to farmers.
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