Launch of Bharat-VISTAAR AI Tool

Bharat-VISTAAR Overview

Launch Details:

• Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will officially launch Bharat-VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) on February 17, 2026.
• The announcement was made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the Union Budget 2026-27 presentation on February 1, 2026.

Funding:

• The initiative has been allocated a budget of ₹150 crore for the financial year 2026-27.

Key Features of Bharat-VISTAAR

Purpose:

• An AI-powered multilingual tool designed to provide farmers with essential information through mobile access or voice calls.
• Aims to consolidate agricultural resources into a single digital platform for better decision-making, risk reduction, and enhanced productivity for farmers.

Functionality:

• Offers guidance on crop planning, agricultural practices, pest control, weather forecasts, market trends, scheme information, eligibility requirements, application assistance, and grievance redressal.
• Combines different sources of information, including Central and state government data, into a user-friendly interface.

Access Methods:

• Accessible via a dedicated telephone number (155261) allowing farmers to interact with an AI assistant named 'Bharati'.
• Additional access through a mobile app on the Google Play Store or a web link on the Ministry of Agriculture's website.
• The platform will be operational 24/7 as a digital agriculture expert.

Information Availability

Initial Scheme Integration:

• At launch, Bharat-VISTAAR will provide information on 10 major Central government schemes, including:
  • PM-KISAN
  • PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
  • Soil Health Card (SHC)
  • Modified Interest Subvention Scheme
  • Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization
  • Per Drop More Crop
  • PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
  • PM Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan
  • Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
  • Kisan Credit Card
• Capability for checking benefit status and grievance registration for PM-KISAN will be integrated by May 2026.

Languages Supported:

• Initially launches with chat support in English and Hindi, and voice assistance in Hindi and English.
• Plans for expansion to include regional languages:
  • Marathi (Maharashtra)
  • Gujarati (Gujarat)
  • Hindi (Bihar)
  • Additional languages (Tamil, Bengali, Assamese, Kannada) within three months, reaching support for 11 languages in six months.

Context and Rationale

Need for Bharat-VISTAAR:

• Current agricultural information dissemination is fragmented, requiring farmers to visit multiple offices and websites for comprehensive data.
• The tool aims to provide a reliable, singular source of information to help streamline agricultural operations and enhance efficiency among farmers.

Conclusion

• Bharat-VISTAAR represents a significant leap in leveraging technology for agricultural support in India. By integrating diverse agricultural resources and enhancing accessibility, the initiative is poised to transform the operational landscape for farmers, making vital information available at their fingertips.