Bharat VISTAAR Launched In Rajasthan To Transform Farming With AI Support
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the artificial intelligence based Bharat VISTAAR Phase 1 scheme in Jaipur, Rajasthan, amid the AI Summit in Delhi. He introduced the initiative in the presence of farmers and senior officials, while Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma attended the programme.
During the event, the AI system Bharati responded to agriculture related queries from farmers. The demonstration showcased how the platform provides direct and satisfactory answers in a simple manner. In addition, the minister unveiled a farmer centric AI Hackathon and the Agri Kosh AI Strategy Roadmap.
AI Powered Support For Every Farmer
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare introduced Bharat VISTAAR to strengthen farmers’ access to information. The scheme aims to enhance production capacities by offering technology driven solutions. Farmers can now dial 155261, explain their problems, and receive immediate responses.
Moreover, the same helpline provides real time mandi prices from markets across the country. Farmers can ask questions in their local language and obtain instant answers. At present, the service operates in Hindi and English. However, the government plans to expand it to 11 languages soon.
The scheme also introduces a Farmer Identity Card. This card will store comprehensive information about each farmer. Currently, schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the Soil Health Card have been integrated. In future, the government intends to connect all agricultural schemes to the platform and unify the entire agricultural system under Bharat VISTAAR.
Political Attack Over Agricultural Policies
During his address, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticised the opposition. He asked Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi five questions regarding alleged irregularities during previous UPA governments. Specifically, he questioned why earlier governments refused to accept the Swaminathan Committee recommendation to determine Minimum Support Price by adding 50 per cent profit on cost through an affidavit in court.
Furthermore, he referred to events in 2009 to 2010. He stated that poor citizens had to purchase flour at ₹20 per kilogram. At the same time, he alleged that flour was exported at ₹12.51 per kilogram despite domestic shortages. He contrasted this with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s decision to implement MSP with 50 per cent profit on cost in farmers’ interest.
Vision For Developed Farmers By 2047
Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma emphasised that developed farmers remain essential for achieving a Developed India by 2047. He said the launch of Bharat VISTAAR would bring meaningful change to farmers’ lives. According to him, artificial intelligence in agriculture will promote prosperity and self reliance.
Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, stated that the platform consolidates information in one place instead of multiple systems. He added that the service would soon expand to other regional languages.
Dr M L Jat, Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, described the initiative as historic and farmer centric. Several dignitaries, including Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Smt Manju Sharma, Shri V Srinivas and Smt Manju Rajpal, attended the programme. Agriculture ministers from various states also joined through video conferencing.
The main objective of Bharat VISTAAR is to use India’s AI powered digital public infrastructure for farmers’ needs. By integrating AgriStack, ICAR, the Indian Meteorological Department, mandi prices, loans, insurance and government schemes into one system, the scheme aims to increase productivity and reduce risks for farmers across the country.