By Soniya:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has launched Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra, India’s first nationwide WhatsApp-based AI advisory service for oilseed farmers. Developed by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad, the platform provides free, multilingual, and research-backed farming guidance directly through WhatsApp.
Farmers can receive instant advice on variety selection, sowing methods, crop management, irrigation, pest and disease control, seed availability, and post-harvest practices. The AI-powered chatbot supports all Indian languages, making scientific agricultural knowledge accessible across the country.
Launched during the National Oilseeds Conference, the initiative aims to improve oilseed productivity, promote digital agriculture, and reduce India’s dependence on edible oil imports. The platform covers major oilseed crops such as groundnut, soybean, mustard, sunflower, sesame, and niger.
Farmers can access the service by saving +91 4024598180 as “Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra” and sending their queries via WhatsApp. The service is available 24×7 without requiring any additional application.
The initiative was developed through collaboration among several ICAR institutions and represents a major step toward connecting agricultural research with farmers through artificial intelligence and digital technology.
