Key Points
- Platform launched on 17 February 2026 with ₹150 crore budget allocation
- Voice-based access via telephone number 155261 for farmers without smartphones
- Ten central schemes integrated including PM-KISAN, PMFBY and Kisan Credit Card
The Centre has launched Bharat-VISTAAR, an artificial intelligence-powered platform that allows farmers to access crop advisories and government scheme information through voice calls, a mobile application and a web portal.
The platform, which stands for Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources, went live on 17 February 2026 following a ₹150 crore allocation in the Union Budget 2026–27. Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary confirmed the rollout in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
Bharat-VISTAAR addresses a persistent challenge faced by India‘s agricultural community: fragmented access to government schemes and location-specific farming guidance. The platform consolidates data from multiple sources to deliver personalised information on crop management, weather forecasts, market prices, pest alerts and soil health.
How Farmers Can Access Bharat-VISTAAR
The platform operates through four channels. Farmers can dial a dedicated telephone number, 155261, to speak with an AI-powered voice assistant. Those with smartphones can download a mobile application or use the voice-based chatbot. A web portal on the agriculture ministry’s website provides additional access.
For the estimated 100 million farming households without smartphones, the telephone-based system uses Interactive Voice Response, a technology that allows callers to navigate menus and receive information through voice commands and keypad inputs. This ensures small and marginal farmers are not excluded from the service.
The first phase supports Hindi and English. The government plans to add four more languages within three months and another five languages within six months, though specific languages have not been announced.
Ten Central Schemes Integrated in Phase One
Bharat-VISTAAR currently connects farmers to ten major central government programmes. These include PM-KISAN, the direct income support scheme that transfers ₹6,000 annually to eligible farmers. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) crop insurance scheme, Soil Health Card programme and Kisan Credit Card facility are also accessible through the platform.
Other integrated schemes include the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana for irrigation, PM-AASHA for price support, the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme, Per Drop More Crop for micro-irrigation and the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization.
The platform draws agricultural data from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to provide science-based crop management recommendations. Location-specific advisories use weather data and soil information to tailor guidance for individual farmers.
Data Protection and Security Measures
The government has built the platform in compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, the legislation that governs how organisations collect, store and process personal information of Indian citizens. Choudhary stated that the system follows cybersecurity guidelines issued by MeitY and the Computer Emergency Response Team-India (CERT-In).
Periodic security audits are conducted on the platform’s IT infrastructure, the minister added, with ongoing risk monitoring in place.
Bharat-VISTAAR is structured as Digital Public Infrastructure, a term describing technology systems built by the government that serve as foundational platforms for multiple services, similar to UPI in payments or Aadhaar in identity verification. The government intends to expand the platform to include state-specific agricultural schemes and connect it with extension networks that provide on-ground support to farmers.
The next phase will focus on adding regional languages and awareness programmes to encourage adoption among farmers who have not previously used digital agricultural services.
Your Questions, Answered
How can farmers access Bharat-VISTAAR without a smartphone?
Farmers can dial 155261 to access the platform through voice-based Interactive Voice Response. This allows them to receive crop advisories and scheme information through phone calls without needing internet access or a smartphone.
Which government schemes are available on Bharat-VISTAAR?
The platform integrates ten central schemes: PM-KISAN, PMFBY, Soil Health Card, Kisan Credit Card, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, PM-AASHA, Modified Interest Subvention Scheme, Per Drop More Crop and Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization.
What languages does Bharat-VISTAAR support?
Currently, the platform supports Hindi and English. The government plans to add four more languages within three months and another five languages within six months of launch.
What information does Bharat-VISTAAR provide to farmers?
The platform delivers personalised advisories on crop management, weather forecasts, market prices, pest and disease alerts and soil health insights based on the farmer's location and requirements.
