Published: 21 February 2026PIB / Free Press Journal / News on AirRajasthan
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches 'Bharat-VISTAAR' AI Platform for Farmers in Jaipur
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, alongside Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, launched 'Bharat-VISTAAR' (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) on February 17, 2026, in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Bharat-VISTAAR is an AI-driven, multilingual Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) platform for agriculture that provides farmers with personalised, real-time information through voice, chat, and mobile access — without requiring a smartphone. Farmers can dial the number 155261 to receive instant voice-based advisory in their local language on weather updates, mandi (market) prices, pest and disease management, soil health, crop advisories, and government schemes — all integrated in one place.
The platform is voice-first, ensuring accessibility even for digitally marginalised farming communities. In Phase 1, Bharat-VISTAAR is available in Hindi and English and will cover several states including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Gujarat. Full integration of all central government schemes — including eligibility checks, benefit tracking, and grievance resolution — is expected by May 2026. Rajasthan, with agriculture contributing significantly to its GSDP and a large farming population dependent on arid-zone crop varieties, stands to benefit directly from AI-driven precision advisory.
0Mains angle
Q: Discuss the features and impact of the Bharat-VISTAAR AI platform launched for farmers in Jaipur on 18 February 2026.
Answer (50 words):
Launched by Union Minister Chouhan and CM Sharma at Jaipur on 18 February 2026, Bharat-VISTAAR is a voice-first multilingual AI-driven Digital Public Infrastructure for farmers. Via helpline 155261, it offers advisory on weather, mandi prices, pests, soil and schemes — without a smartphone, covering Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar and Gujarat in Phase 1.
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Which Union Minister launched the Bharat-VISTAAR AI platform for farmers in Jaipur in February 2026?
Explanation · Correct answer DUnion Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Bharat-VISTAAR AI-based farmer platform at a national event in Jaipur on February 17, 2026, in the presence of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. The platform is meant to give farmers easier access to agricultural advisories and scheme-related information.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bharat-VISTAAR and when was it launched?
Bharat-VISTAAR is a voice-first AI platform for farmers, launched by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Jaipur on February 18, 2026. It provides real-time advisory on weather, mandi prices, crop diseases, and government schemes via a helpline number (155261), accessible without a smartphone.
What helpline number is used to access Bharat-VISTAAR?
Farmers can access Bharat-VISTAAR by calling the helpline number 155261. The platform is voice-first, meaning it requires no smartphone or internet connectivity, making it accessible to rural and low-income farmers.
Why was Bharat-VISTAAR launched from Jaipur, Rajasthan?
Bharat-VISTAAR was launched from Jaipur to highlight Rajasthan's 7+ crore farmers as a key target group for the platform. The state has a large agrarian population, and the launch signalled the platform's focus on large farming states with diverse linguistic needs, including Hindi and Rajasthani dialects.
How does Bharat-VISTAAR align with existing government schemes?
Bharat-VISTAAR aligns with PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) and the Digital Agriculture Mission, both aimed at modernising Indian agriculture. The platform extends these schemes' reach by providing real-time, voice-based advisory services directly to farmers in regional languages.
In which languages is Bharat-VISTAAR available?
Bharat-VISTAAR is available in multiple regional languages including Hindi and Rajasthani dialects. This multilingual accessibility ensures the platform serves diverse farmer communities across India, particularly in Rajasthan.
