Published: 19 February 2026DD News / Global Agriculture / Tractor JunctionRajasthan
Bharat-VISTAAR AI Agriculture Platform Launched in Jaipur, Rajasthan by Union Agriculture Minister
AQuick answer
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched 'Bharat-VISTAAR', an AI-driven multilingual DPI agriculture platform, in Jaipur on February 17, 2026. Accessible via helpline 155261 even on feature phones, it integrates crop advisory, weather, mandi prices, and government schemes for farmers.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the AI-driven digital agriculture platform 'Bharat-VISTAAR' (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) in Jaipur, Rajasthan on February 17, 2026, in the presence of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.
Bharat-VISTAAR is a multilingual, voice-first AI platform designed as a single digital gateway for India's agricultural ecosystem, integrating weather forecasts, mandi (market) prices, crop advisories, pest and disease alerts, soil health information, and government scheme applications in one place. Built as Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), it is accessible via helpline 155261 through voice calls or text chatbots — including on basic feature phones — serving farmers with limited internet connectivity or digital literacy.
Initially launched in Hindi and English, the platform will expand to 11 additional regional languages. In the next phase, integration with central agricultural schemes such as PM Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Cards, and Kisan Credit Card is planned by May 2026. A Digital Farmer Identity Card will store farmer data and enable seamless access to multiple services. The launch aligns with India's AI for Agriculture mission and supports Rajasthan's farming community, which contributes to the state's GSDP of ₹18.75 lakh crore (10.24% growth over previous year).
0Mains angle
Q: Discuss how the AI-driven Bharat-VISTAAR digital public infrastructure platform seeks to transform agricultural advisory services for Indian farmers.
Answer (50 words):
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Bharat-VISTAAR in Jaipur on 17 February 2026, alongside CM Bhajanlal Sharma. The multilingual voice-first AI Digital Public Infrastructure platform, accessed via helpline 155261 on feature phones, integrates weather, mandi prices, crop advisories, schemes. It is planned to expand to 11 languages and Phase-I already integrates PM Fasal Bima Yojana.
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Linked questionEasy
Which AI platform was launched in Jaipur for farmers by Union Agriculture Minister alongside Rajasthan CM?
Explanation · Correct answer DBharat-VISTAAR AI agriculture platform was launched in Jaipur by Union Agriculture Minister and Rajasthan CM.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bharat-VISTAAR and who launched it?
Bharat-VISTAAR is an AI-driven multilingual Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) agriculture platform. It was launched by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Jaipur on February 18, 2026.
What helpline number is used to access Bharat-VISTAAR?
Bharat-VISTAAR is accessible via helpline number 155261, and it works on basic feature phones, ensuring reach to rural farmers without smartphones.
What services does Bharat-VISTAAR provide to farmers?
The platform integrates crop advisory, weather forecasts, mandi (market) prices, and information about government schemes into a single, multilingual interface accessible to farmers across India.
What is AgriStack and how does Bharat-VISTAAR relate to it?
AgriStack is India's national digital agriculture mission aimed at creating a unified digital infrastructure for the farming sector. Bharat-VISTAAR is a key component of AgriStack, delivering AI-powered advisory services to farmers through a DPI framework.
What does DPI stand for and why is it significant in the context of Bharat-VISTAAR?
DPI stands for Digital Public Infrastructure — scalable, interoperable technology platforms built as public goods. Bharat-VISTAAR as a DPI ensures that agricultural services reach every farmer regardless of location or device, similar to how UPI democratised digital payments.
