India’s agricultural transformation is entering a new digital chapter. On February 17, 2026, in Jaipur, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will formally launch Bharat-VISTAAR, an ambitious AI-powered digital platform designed to become a 24×7 companion for farmers across the country. The launch will take place in the presence of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, marking what is being described as a major step toward smarter, technology-enabled agriculture.
Developed under the broader vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bharat-VISTAAR aims to bring weather forecasts, market prices, crop advice, pest alerts, soil data, and government scheme information together on a single, accessible platform—available even through a basic mobile phone.
A Digital Companion for Every Farmer
For decades, farmers have had to navigate multiple offices, websites, and intermediaries to access vital information—whether about crop insurance, subsidy schemes, mandi prices, or soil health. Bharat-VISTAAR seeks to change that by offering a unified, AI-driven gateway.
Designed as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture—much like UPI revolutionised digital payments—Bharat-VISTAAR integrates trusted government and scientific databases into one system. Instead of searching across platforms, farmers can simply ask questions and receive reliable, real-time responses.
The platform will initially be available in Hindi and English, with plans to expand to multiple regional languages in the coming months.
Voice-First AI: Inclusion at the Core
One of the most distinctive features of Bharat-VISTAAR is its Voice-First AI design. Farmers using even simple feature phones can dial the dedicated helpline number 155261 to speak directly with the AI assistant “Bharati.”
This voice-enabled assistant can:
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Provide weather forecasts and market rates
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Share crop and livestock advice
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Offer pest and disease alerts
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Explain eligibility and benefits under major schemes
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Register and track complaints
The service will also be accessible through:
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A chatbot interface (text-based conversation)
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A web-based portal
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An Android mobile app
By combining voice, text, and mobile access, the platform ensures that technology does not become a barrier to inclusion.
Integrated Information, One Reliable Source
At launch, Bharat-VISTAAR will connect multiple national systems, including:
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Weather updates from the India Meteorological Department (IMD)
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Market prices from AgMarkNet
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Pest surveillance data from the National Pest Surveillance System
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Agricultural data from Agri-Stack
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Scientific advisories from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
In addition, information from at least ten major central government schemes—such as PM-KISAN, PMFBY (Crop Insurance), Soil Health Card, Kisan Credit Card, and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund—will be available. Farmers will be able to check benefit status, track applications, and register grievances without repeated visits to government offices.
Phase-1 Rollout and State Integration
In its first phase, the platform will reach lakhs of farmers across states including Maharashtra, Bihar, and Gujarat. State-level AI initiatives such as Maharashtra’s MahaVistaar, BiharKrishi, and Gujarat’s AmulAI will be integrated to provide localized support.
Over the next three months, additional languages—Tamil, Bengali, Assamese, and Kannada—will be added. Within six months, the system is expected to function in 11 languages, expanding its national footprint.
By May 2026, full integration of central schemes for eligibility checks, application submission, and benefit tracking is planned. More personalised, location-specific advisories—covering fertiliser use, crop suitability, pest patterns, and market trends—will also be introduced.
Beyond Technology: A Smarter Agriculture Ecosystem
The Jaipur launch event will also witness the unveiling of an “AI for Agriculture Roadmap,” along with announcements related to an AI Hackathon and AgriKosh, further underlining the government’s push to embed artificial intelligence into India’s rural economy.
What sets Bharat-VISTAAR apart is its ambition to function not merely as an information portal, but as a Digital Agriculture Advisor—empowering farmers to make informed decisions that can improve productivity, reduce risk, and increase income.
A Turning Point for Rural India
India’s farmers have long demonstrated resilience and adaptability. With Bharat-VISTAAR, the aim is to match that resilience with intelligent digital support—bridging traditional agricultural wisdom with modern AI capabilities.
As the platform goes live from Jaipur on February 17, it signals more than just a technological rollout. It represents a shift toward accessible, inclusive, and data-driven farming—where critical information is no longer scattered, but just a call away.