‘Bharat-VISTAAR’ was launched in Jaipur as a new AI-powered platform designed to give farmers comprehensive support in one place. The system provides information on weather, market prices, pests and diseases, soil health, crop guidance, and government schemes via phone calls, chatbots, and, in the future, a dedicated mobile app.
In its first phase, Bharat-VISTAAR will operate in Hindi and English, reaching lakhs of farmers across states including Maharashtra, Bihar, and Gujarat. Built as a voice-first AI, it allows even farmers using basic feature phones to access services simply by calling the helpline at 155261. The platform also includes voice input-output, a website and mobile site chatbot, and will eventually launch an Android app.
Bharat-VISTAAR addresses several challenges farmers face today. Information on government schemes is often scattered, making it difficult to determine eligibility, apply, track benefits, or resolve complaints. Weather updates, market rates, insurance, and soil health data are similarly fragmented. By consolidating all this information into a single, reliable source, the platform removes the need for farmers to visit multiple offices, websites, or rely on intermediaries.
Designed as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for AI in agriculture—similar to how UPI works for payments—Bharat-VISTAAR integrates central, state, and cooperative systems to deliver personalized, science-based advice. It operates 24/7 as a “Digital Agriculture Expert” through two main channels: a text-based chatbot and a speaking AI assistant called ‘Bharati,’ which can converse in simple language and multiple voices.
Farmers can access ‘Bharati’ via three ways: a mobile app on Google Play Store, a web interface available on the Ministry of Agriculture site and popular apps like PM-KISAN and PMFBY, or by calling 155261, even on basic phones.
At launch, Bharat-VISTAAR provides information on 10 major central schemes, including PM-KISAN, PMFBY, Soil Health Card, Modified Interest Subvention, Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation, Per Drop More Crop, PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, PM Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, and Kisan Credit Card. It also enables benefit status checks, complaint registration and tracking, crop and livestock advice, pest and disease alerts, real-time weather forecasts from IMD, market prices from Agmarknet, and weather-based agricultural guidance. State and cooperative AI systems like Maharashtra’s MahaVistaar, Bihar’s BiharKrishi, and Gujarat’s AmulAI are integrated for localized support.
Language support at launch includes English and Hindi for the chatbot and ‘Bharati,’ Marathi for Maharashtra farmers via Vasudha, Gujarati for Gujarat farmers through AmulAI’s Sarlaben, and Hindi for Bihar farmers through the BiharKrishi app.
