By integrating AI with AgriStack and ICAR advisories in multiple languages, it can support better decisions on crops, inputs, and markets, especially for smallholder and first-generation women farmers.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during the Union Budget presentation, announced Bharat Vistaar, a new AI-powered platform designed to significantly enhance agricultural decision-making for farmers across India. The initiative prioritises real-time access to soil and weather data, expert advice, and government schemes, aiming to transform how farmers manage their operations and receive support. Agri industry leaders have appreciated Bharat Vistar’ as positive step towards better farming practices.

“The Union Budget’s focus on high-value agriculture, improving farm productivity and encouraging entrepreneurship reflects a practical approach to strengthening India’s agricultural ecosystem. Special attention to small and marginal farmers, rural youth and the North-East will help ensure more inclusive and balanced growth across regions. The introduction of technology-led initiatives like Bharat VISTAAR is also a positive step, as it can help farmers access timely, data-driven insights and adopt better farming practices. The continued emphasis on value addition, support for women-led rural enterprises, and long-term sustainability aligns well with the industry’s focus on responsible fertiliser use and efficient farming systems. Overall, these initiatives move Indian agriculture towards a more productive, technology-enabled and sustainable future”, said Sanjiv Kanwar, MD, Yara South Asia.

Anand Chandra, Co-founder & Executive Director, Arya.ag said, “Bharat Vistar brings the promise of making agri-advisory more intelligent, timely, and accessible at the farmgate. By integrating AI with AgriStack and ICAR advisories in multiple languages, it can support better decisions on crops, inputs, and markets, especially for smallholder and first-generation women farmers. The Rural Women-Led Enterprises initiative, building on the Lakhpati Didi programme, takes this further by enabling the shift from subsistence livelihoods to ownership.

In our experience, such enterprises succeed when they are deeply embedded in local agri-value chains, with access to working capital, market linkages, and autonomy over key decisions. Women-owned agribusinesses often reinvest locally, strengthening household incomes and creating resilient micro-economies. As AgriStack integration deepens, these enterprises can also build digital footprints, unlocking access to formal finance, input systems, and structured trade.

Importantly, many women-led groups are already leading the adoption of sustainable and climate-resilient practices. Strengthening them through enterprise support will generate both economic and environmental dividends. The Budget lays strong groundwork; execution will depend on how these initiatives reach real farms, in real time.”

“The introduction of Bharat Vistar, a multilingual, AI-driven platform integrated with AgriStack, is a positive step towards expanding access to agricultural knowledge and equipping farmers with advanced tools to make better-informed decisions. The push for AI-enabled agritech can help bridge information gaps and enhance productivity across diverse farming communities. As the Founder and Director of The Organic World, I view these measures as important building blocks for a more inclusive and future-ready agricultural ecosystem. Collectively, they can support stronger rural livelihoods and enable wider access to clean, sustainable, and nutritious food for consumers across the country” said Gaurav Manchanda, Founder & Director, The Organic World.

 While emphasising the vital role of the AI technology in agriculture, Rajesh Shirole, Co-Founder & COO at MapMyCrop said, “The launch of Bharat Vistar in the Union Budget is a landmark move towards technology-driven agriculture. By integrating AgriStack portals and ICAR’s package of practices with advanced multilingual AI systems, this platform will empower farmers with data-driven insights to make smarter decisions and enhance productivity. At MapMyCrop, we believe this initiative will accelerate the adoption of precision farming, reduce risks, and ensure that farmers across diverse regions and languages can benefit from customised advisory support. It is a strong step towards building a resilient and inclusive agricultural ecosystem”