Bharat VISTAAR: India’s New AI Tool For Farmers Launched In Jaipur

India’s Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has unveiled a groundbreaking AI-powered advisory platform called Bharat VISTAAR. Launched in Jaipur by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the system promises to revolutionize farming by giving every farmer a single number to dial for instant crop guidance, scheme details, and live mandi prices.

Bharat VISTAAR stands for Village Information System for Technology-driven Agriculture and Rural reach. It marks India’s official entry into AI-powered agriculture. The Phase 1 rollout in Jaipur coincided with Delhi’s AI Impact Summit 2026, underscoring the government’s push to embed artificial intelligence at the grassroots of Indian farming. The platform is designed to be a one-stop solution, offering farmers tailored advice, scheme information, and market updates without the need for internet access or complex apps.

At the heart of Bharat VISTAAR is a simple promise: dial 155261 and get answers. Farmers can call from any mobile phone, whether basic or smart, and speak in their local language. The AI system, called AI Bharati, responds conversationally, providing real-time solutions. During the launch, AI Bharati was demonstrated live, fielding questions from the audience to widespread appreciation.

Currently available in Hindi and English, Bharat VISTAAR will soon expand to support 11 Indian languages, ensuring accessibility across diverse regions. This multilingual approach means farmers can interact in their mother tongue, making the system inclusive and easy to use.

One of the most practical features is the ability to check live mandi prices. Farmers can use the helpline to access real-time market rates from mandis across India, helping them make smarter selling decisions and maximize profits.

The scheme also introduces a Farmer ID, a digital identity that will store comprehensive information about each farmer, including landholding details, crops grown, and scheme enrolments. This unified identity will simplify entitlement checks and applications, ensuring farmers get the benefits they deserve.

Bharat VISTAAR integrates flagship programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the Soil Health Card scheme, with plans to bring all major agricultural schemes onto the platform. It also draws from AgriStack, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), and state-level agricultural systems, creating a unified interface for farmers.

Beyond advisory services, Bharat VISTAAR helps farmers navigate credit and insurance options. By connecting them to financial services, the platform addresses risk management alongside productivity, making farming more secure and sustainable.

Using the platform is as simple as making a phone call. Farmers dial 155261, ask their questions in Hindi or English, and receive instant answers powered by AI Bharati. Queries can range from pest control and fertiliser advice to scheme eligibility and soil health. The same number also provides live mandi prices, and once the Farmer ID system is fully rolled out, farmers will be able to link their identity to all schemes seamlessly.

Phase 1 is just the beginning. The government plans to expand language support, integrate all central agricultural schemes, and connect the entire ecosystem - from soil testing labs to crop insurance processors - into Bharat VISTAAR. Alongside the launch, initiatives like a farmer-centric AI Hackathon and the Agri Kosh AI Strategy Roadmap were also unveiled, signalling a broader technology ecosystem being built around Indian agriculture.