India’s agricultural society is no longer backward, but is going to be equipped with AI technology. The way India proved its mettle in the UPI payment sector, the farmers of India are now going to bring a similar revolution in the AI sector. The central government is going to launch an AI-powered tool called Bharat-Vistaar on 16 February 2026 in Jaipur, which will provide its facilities in multiple languages. This tool will easily provide every important information related to agriculture to the farmers in their mother tongue. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will launch it.
When was the India-wide AI tool announced?
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced India-expansion in her budget speech on 1 February 2026. He had told that this multi-language AI tool will connect Agristack portals and all the farming related packages of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) with the AI system. This will increase crop productivity, farmers will be able to take better decisions and risks will be reduced. Rs 150 crore has been allocated on this project for 2026-27.
How will the India-wide AI tool work?
Bharat-Vistaar will act as a ‘Digital Agriculture Expert’ available 24 hours a day.
The talking AI assistant will be named ‘Bharti’.
Farmers will be able to access it by dialing the number 155261 on ordinary phones.
Initially available in Hindi and English, it will gradually expand to all regional languages.
What will be the benefit to farmers from India-expansion?
This tool will provide services to farmers like crop planning, package of practice, pest management, weather forecast, market prices, information about government schemes, eligibility, application process and grievance redressal. With the launch, details of 10 major central schemes will be available, such as PM-Kisan, PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Soil Health Card, Modified Interest Subvention Scheme, Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization, Per Drop More Crop, PM Agricultural Irrigation Scheme, PM Annadata Income Protection Abhiyan, Agricultural Infrastructure Fund and Kisan Credit Card. You will also get weather and insect alerts.
What is Bharat-Vistara?
Bharat-Vistaar is not just an app, but the national digital backbone that will integrate Centre-State systems, while at the same time maintaining the autonomy of the states. It will leverage the India AI Mission, Bhashini and the National AI Ecosystem. Non-profit organizations, AI startups, tech companies and centers of excellence will cooperate in its development. Overall, it is an interactive platform, where the feedback of farmers goes directly into the government system. This will make policy-making evidence-based and research priorities will be decided.
