Kisan Sarathi Digital Agriculture Platform

Exam-Focused Notes on Kisan Sarathi Platform

Overview:

• Kisan Sarathi: Launched in July 2021, this is India's largest integrated digital agriculture consultancy platform aimed at uniting and empowering the agricultural ecosystem through technology and expertise.

Key Features:

• Multilingual Advisory: Provides timely, authentic, and multilingual agricultural advice.
• Government Schemes: Offers information on government schemes, weather updates, and consultations with agricultural experts.
• Implementation: Joint initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
• Technology Used: Operates through the Interactive Information Dissemination System (IIDS) facilitating two-way communication between farmers and experts.

Integration:

• Connects farmers with:
  • 730+ Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
  • 100+ ICAR institutes
  • 65+ Agricultural Universities
• Enhances the national agricultural consultancy framework by providing localized assistance.

Services Offered:

• Real-Time Consultations: Farmers can receive real-time advice on weather updates, market prices, and crop-specific queries.
• Access to Government Schemes: Identifies suitable government schemes for farmers, including PM Kisan.
• Diverse Access Points: Services available via:
  • Farmer Call Centers
  • Common Service Centers
  • Web Portals
  • WhatsApp
  • Mobile Apps

User Statistics (as of June 25, 2026):

• Coverage: Services available in 36 states/UTs, 768 districts, 663,000 villages.
• User Base: Over 29.5 million farmers registered, including 5.6 million women beneficiaries.
• Queries Resolved: Approximately 19.21 lakh queries addressed; 21,900 consultations issued covering 351 items across 34 states/UTs.

Technology and Communication:

• IIDS Functionality:
  • Two-way communication via voice calls, video calls, texts, and chat.
  • Customized consultations based on individual farmer needs.
  • Centralized server for question tracking and expert access to knowledge databases.

Benefits for Stakeholders:

• Farmers: Improved access to expert advice, localized assistance, and timely information.
• Agricultural Experts: Enhanced outreach and dissemination of scientific consultations.
• Policy Makers: Access to real-time insights for evidence-based policy-making and strengthening agricultural extension systems.

Future Implications:

• Kisan Sarathi is a significant step towards the digital transformation of India’s agricultural extension system, fostering collaboration between farmers, research institutions, extension agencies, and policymakers. It aims to create a more responsive agricultural ecosystem and promote informed decision-making among farmers.

Relevant Articles and Policies:

• The Kisan Sarathi initiative aligns with the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) under Article 39(a) of the Indian Constitution, which ensures the right to an adequate means of livelihood.

Conclusion:

Kisan Sarathi represents a transformative approach to agricultural consultancy in India by integrating technology and expert knowledge, thereby enhancing the agricultural landscape and empowering farmers through accessible information and services.