Centre to Roll Out ‘Bharat-VISTAAR’ — 24×7 AI Farming Assistant Accessible by Phone Call
In a major push toward technology-driven agriculture, the Union government is set to introduce Bharat-VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources), a nationwide artificial-intelligence platform designed to deliver farm advice directly to cultivators in their preferred language — even without smartphones.
The service will be formally launched in Jaipur on Tuesday by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, along with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.
A “digital expert” farmers can talk to
Unlike conventional apps that require literacy, downloads or internet familiarity, Bharat-VISTAAR functions like a conversational assistant.
Farmers can either use a mobile interface or simply dial 155261 and speak to an AI guide named “Bharati”, available round-the-clock.
Through voice interaction, the system will help with:
- Crop planning and sowing decisions
- Scientific farming practices
- Pest and disease management
- Weather alerts and advisories
- Market price information
- Government scheme guidance
- Eligibility checks and application help
- Complaint registration and tracking
The platform is intended to bridge the knowledge gap between agricultural research institutions and farmers, particularly those in remote regions.
Access to key government schemes
After rollout, cultivators will be able to obtain details about major Central programmes such as:
- PM-KISAN
- PM Fasal Bima Yojana
- Soil Health Card
- Modified Interest Subvention Scheme
- Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation
- Per Drop More Crop
- PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
- PM Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan
- Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
- Kisan Credit Card
The system will also push timely alerts on rainfall patterns, extreme weather and pest outbreaks to help minimise losses.
Budget announcement and funding
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had unveiled the initiative while presenting the Union Budget 2026-27, describing it as a multilingual AI tool that merges AgriStack databases and ICAR agricultural practice packages into one intelligent advisory system.
The government has earmarked ₹150 crore for the programme in the coming financial year.
Initially, the assistant will operate in Hindi and English before gradually expanding to regional languages.
More than an application — a national platform
Officials describe Bharat-VISTAAR as a digital backbone linking Central and state agricultural systems while allowing states to retain operational independence.
It will evolve with inputs from non-profits, AI startups, technology companies and Centres of Excellence, drawing on the broader India AI Mission and the BHASHINI language framework.
Another distinctive feature is its feedback loop: farmers’ queries and responses will feed into government databases, helping authorities identify field-level problems and shape evidence-based policies and research priorities.
The initiative aims not only to improve productivity but also to reduce risk and make modern advisory services accessible to even the smallest farmers through a simple phone call.
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