Source: IE
Subject: Government Scheme
Context: The Union Agriculture Minister launched Bharat-VISTAAR, an AI-powered multilingual advisory platform announced in the Union Budget 2026-27.
About Bharat-VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources):
What is Bharat-VISTAAR?
- Bharat-VISTAAR is an AI-driven multilingual Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) platform for agriculture.
- It provides farmers with personalised, real-time information through voice, chat, and mobile access.
- It functions as a single digital gateway for agricultural schemes, advisories, markets, and grievance redressal.
Organisations Involved: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare is implementing authority.
Aim:
- Provide customised AI-based advisory to farmers: Delivers crop, weather, and market advice tailored to individual farm profiles using AI.
- Improve access to scheme eligibility and benefit tracking: Enables farmers to check eligibility, application status, and benefits in one place.
Key Features:
- Multilingual & Voice-Based Access
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- Available initially in Hindi and English: Ensures wider early adoption among major language groups.
- Expansion to 11 languages in phases: Promotes inclusivity across diverse regional farmers.
- Toll-free helpline 155261 with AI assistant “Bharati”: Allows farmers to receive advice through simple voice calls.
- Multi-Platform Accessibility:
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- Basic phone (voice call) – Supports non-smartphone users in rural areas.
- Mobile application: Offers app-based interactive advisory and scheme tracking.
- Integration with PM-KISAN and PMFBY apps: Links directly with major agricultural welfare platforms.
- Scheme Integration:
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- PM-KISAN: Facilitates income support tracking and grievance updates.
- PMFBY: Enables crop insurance enrolment and claim status checks.
- Soil Health Card: Provides soil nutrient data for informed fertiliser use.
- Kisan Credit Card: Supports access to institutional agricultural credit.
- Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: Offers information on agri-infrastructure financing support.
- PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: Guides farmers on irrigation assistance schemes.
- Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization: Promotes access to farm machinery subsidies.
- Per Drop More Crop: Encourages efficient micro-irrigation practices.
- PM Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan: Provides MSP and price support details.
- Modified Interest Subvention Scheme: Explains interest relief on short-term crop loans.
- Advisory Services:
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- ICAR-based crop and livestock guidance: Supplies research-backed farming recommendations.
- Pest and disease alerts: Issues timely warnings to reduce crop losses.
- Real-time mandi prices: Shares updated market rates to improve selling decisions.
- Weather forecasts and agronomy advice: Aligns farm practices with climate conditions.
- Grievance registration and tracking: Enables digital complaint filing and resolution monitoring.
- 24×7 Digital Agriculture Expert:
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- Round-the-clock operation: Ensures farmers can access services anytime.
- Chat and voice interaction: Provides conversational assistance through text or speech.
