Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches Bharat-VISTAAR in Jaipur to Boost AI in Agriculture

Key Highlights:

• Launched by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Jaipur.

• AI-based platform announced in Union Budget FY27.

• Voice access through helpline 155261.

• Integrates IMD, AgMarkNet, NPSS and Agri-Stack data.

• Covers 10 major central government schemes.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the AI-based platform Bharat-VISTAAR in Jaipur on Tuesday. The project was recently announced in the Union Budget for FY27. Along with the launch of the platform, the Minister also introduced the ‘AI for Agriculture Roadmap’ and an ‘AI Hackathon’, according to an official statement.

This initiative aims to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve farming services and make important information easily available to farmers across India.

One Platform for All Key Farm Information

Bharat-VISTAAR is designed as a single digital platform where farmers can access all major farming-related information in one place.

Through this platform, farmers will get:

• Weather updates

• Mandi prices

• Pest and disease alerts

• Soil health details

• Crop management advice

It will also provide complete information about major central government schemes. Farmers can check scheme details, track their application status, monitor benefits received, and even view grievance status.

This system will reduce the need for farmers to visit multiple offices or search across different websites for information.

Voice-First Service for Easy Access

One of the key highlights of Bharat-VISTAAR is its voice-first design. The platform is mainly built for voice use so that even farmers with simple feature phones can benefit from it.

Farmers can call the helpline number 155261 to get information through voice input and output.

In addition, a website chatbot and mobile site are already available. An Android app will also be launched soon to expand access further.

Data Integrated from Multiple Government Sources

In its first phase, Bharat-VISTAAR will be available in Hindi and English. The service will initially cover states like Maharashtra, Bihar, and Gujarat.

The platform brings together data from several trusted government sources, including:

• Weather data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD)

• Mandi prices from AgMarkNet

• Pest and disease updates from the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS)

• Agri-Stack data

It will also include details of at least 10 major central government schemes. Farmers will receive region-specific guidance based on ICAR practices and Soil Health Card recommendations to help improve crop productivity.

A Major Step Toward Digital and Smart Farming

With Bharat-VISTAAR, the government aims to simplify access to farm-related services and promote AI-driven agriculture. By combining weather, market, pest, soil, and scheme information on one platform, farmers can make better and faster decisions.

The launch of the AI for Agriculture Roadmap and AI Hackathon further shows the government’s focus on innovation and technology in the farming sector. Bharat-VISTAAR is expected to support farmers with timely, accurate, and easy-to-access information, helping them move toward smarter and more efficient agriculture.

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CMV360 Says

Bharat-VISTAAR marks an important step toward smart and digital farming in India. By bringing weather updates, mandi prices, pest alerts, soil data, and scheme details onto one AI-based platform, the government aims to simplify farmers’ lives. With voice support through helpline 155261 and regional guidance, the platform ensures easy access for all. This initiative can improve decision-making, reduce effort, and support farmers with timely and reliable information.