AI in Farming: What is Bharat-Vistaar, the Multilingual Digital Tool for Farmers?

February 17, 2026

Indian agriculture is entering a new digital phase where a farmer can get crop advice, weather alerts, government scheme details and market information through a single phone call — in their own language.

This shift is being driven by Bharat-Vistaar, a new AI-powered platform launched by the Union government to act as a 24×7 digital agriculture expert for farmers across India.

Background: Why Bharat-Vistaar Was Needed

Farmers today depend on multiple apps, websites, helplines and offices to access information on schemes, crop practices, insurance, loans, weather and market prices.

This information is often fragmented, difficult to understand, and mostly available only in limited languages. Many farmers also rely on middlemen or informal sources, increasing the risk of misinformation and delayed decisions. The government has been building a digital public infrastructure for agriculture, called AgriStack, to bring data and services onto one platform. Bharat-Vistaar is designed as the farmer-facing AI layer of this digital system.

What is Bharat-Vistaar?                       

Bharat-Vistaar is a multilingual AI-powered platform that integrates AgriStack and scientific farming advisories from Indian Council of Agricultural Research into one system.

It works as a single digital gateway for farmers to access personalised information on crops, weather, pests, government schemes, insurance, credit and grievance support. The platform is designed to function through both text and voice, making it accessible even to farmers without smartphones or digital literacy.

Recent Developments and Launch

The platform was launched by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Jaipur in the presence of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.

The initiative was announced earlier by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2025–26, with an allocation of ₹150 crore for the rollout in the coming financial year. The launch signals a shift towards AI-driven decision support in agriculture, aimed at improving productivity and reducing risks.

How Bharat-Vistaar Works

Farmers can access Bharat-Vistaar through a simple phone call to a dedicated number, where they interact with a talking AI assistant named Bharati.

The system connects to government databases and verified agricultural knowledge systems to provide real-time answers. In its first phase, services are available in Hindi and English across selected states, including Maharashtra, Bihar and Gujarat. Over the next few months, the platform is expected to expand to Tamil, Bengali, Assamese and Kannada, along with integration of more State government schemes.

What Services Farmers Get

Bharat-Vistaar provides information on major Central government schemes such as PM-KISAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Card, Kisan Credit Card, PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and interest subvention schemes.

Farmers receive weather alerts, pest and disease warnings, crop health advice, scheme eligibility details, application guidance and grievance redressal support. The platform also links farmers to the Kisan Call Centre through an AI-powered chatbot developed by Wadhwani AI, allowing escalation to human experts when needed.

The Technology Backbone

Bharat-Vistaar is designed as a national digital backbone that connects Central and State agriculture systems while allowing States to retain control over their data and services. It is being built in collaboration with not-for-profit organisations, AI startups and technology partners.

The system leverages national digital initiatives such as the IndiaAI Mission and BHASHINI to enable voice-based interaction in Indian languages and regional dialects. Farmer feedback collected through the platform is expected to flow back into government systems to support evidence-based policymaking and research.

Why Bharat-Vistaar Matters

The platform aims to become a single digital doorway for farmers, reducing dependence on multiple portals and intermediaries. By offering personalised, data-driven advice, Bharat-Vistaar can help farmers choose better crops, time their sowing, optimise water and fertiliser use, manage pest risks, and access schemes without delays.

Over time, this can improve yields, reduce input costs, strengthen price discovery and make farming more climate-resilient. The larger goal is to integrate artificial intelligence into everyday agricultural decision-making and build a more efficient, inclusive and farmer-centric digital ecosystem.