Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today launched the Bharat Vistar Yojana app in Jaipur in the presence of Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma. The Union Minister also unveiled the Agri Kosh AI Strategy Roadmap and announced a farmer-focused AI hackathon to boost innovation in agriculture.
The Bharat Vistar Yojana is an AI-powered digital platform designed to provide real-time agricultural information and government services directly to farmers through mobile phones.
1. Instant Agricultural Advisory Through AI
The Bharat Vistar app provides farmers with instant answers to farming-related queries using artificial intelligence. Farmers can get guidance on crops, fertilizers, soil health, irrigation, and pest control through a single digital platform.
2. Toll-Free Helpline for Farmers (155261)
Farmers can dial 155261 to report problems and receive immediate solutions. The helpline also provides real-time mandi prices across the country, helping farmers make informed decisions on selling their produce.
3. Multilingual Support for Rural Farmers
The platform currently supports Hindi and English and will soon expand to 11 regional languages, ensuring farmers can communicate in their local language and easily access information.
4. One-Stop Access to Government Schemes and Services
Bharat Vistar integrates data from AgriStack, ICAR, IMD, market price systems, and government schemes. Farmers can access information on subsidies, crop insurance, loans, and welfare schemes in one place, reducing dependency on intermediaries.
5. Improved Productivity and Risk Reduction
By providing real-time weather updates, market trends, and advisory services, the app aims to increase farm productivity and reduce risks related to climate change, market volatility, and crop failure.
Leaders Highlight Farmers’ Role in Developed India
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government’s goal is to enhance farmers’ production capacity using technology and artificial intelligence. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said developed farmers are key to achieving the vision of Developed India by 2047, and AI-based farming solutions will empower farmers and make them self-reliant.