‘Bharat-VISTAAR’ Launched to Support Farmers Nationwide

The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare launched the new digital companion Bharat-VISTAAR in Jaipur, aimed at providing farmers across India with reliable, real-time information through a single platform.

What is Bharat-VISTAAR?

Bharat-VISTAAR is an AI-powered, farmer-centric digital public infrastructure developed by the Government of India. The platform will deliver information on:

• Weather updates
• Market prices
• Pest and disease alerts
• Soil health
• Crop management advice
• Details of at least 10 major central government schemes

The system integrates inputs from multiple government departments and scientific institutions to provide accurate and timely guidance.

Voice-First Technology for Wider Reach

Designed as a Voice-First AI platform, Bharat-VISTAAR ensures accessibility even for farmers with basic feature phones. Farmers can receive assistance through:

• Phone calls via helpline 155261
• Voice input-output system
• Chatbots on website and mobile site
• Upcoming Android app

Phase-1 Rollout

In the first phase, the platform will operate in Hindi and English and is expected to reach lakhs of farmers in states such as Maharashtra, Bihar, and Gujarat.

Objective

The initiative aims to empower farmers with accurate, timely, and easy-to-access information, improve decision-making in agriculture, and strengthen digital inclusion in rural areas across the country.