Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra: India’s First WhatsApp AI Advisory for Oilseed Cultivation

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has launched the ‘Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra’ which is the India’s first nationwide WhatsApp-based AI advisory service for oilseed farmers. It is developed by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad and this platform provides the free, multilingual and research-based guidance to the farmers. It was launched during the National Oilseeds Conference and this initiative aims to support the farmers with scientific advice on oilseed cultivation.

Why Was Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra Launched?

India imports the significant portion of the its edible oil requirements and making oilseed production as a strategic priority.

The initiative has been launched to the,

• Improve the oilseed productivity.
• Deliver the scientific knowledge directly to farmers.
• Promote the digital agriculture.
• Reduce dependence on edible oil imports.
• Strengthen farmer access to timely crop advisory.

By leveraging the WhatsApp, the service ensures that the farmers can access expert guidance without installing any additional applications.

How Does Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra Work?

The AI-powered chatbot uses the advanced language processing and the scientific knowledge base developed by the multiple ICAR institutions.

Farmers can ask questions related to the,

• Variety selection.
• Sowing practices.
• Crop management.
• Pest and disease control.
• Irrigation scheduling.
• Post-harvest management.
• Seed availability.

The chatbot understands and responds in the all Indian languages and making the agricultural knowledge accessible to the farmers across diverse regions.

How Can Farmers Access the Service?

The process is the simple and user-friendly.

Steps to Use Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra

1. Step 1: Save +91 4024598180 as a “Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra” in your phone.
2. Step 2: Open WhatsApp and send a query in your preferred Indian language.
3. Step 3: Start to receive instant, research-based advisory free of cost, available 24×7.

No separate mobile application or any specialized software is required for this service.

Which Crops Are Covered Under the Platform?

This chatbot provides guidance on the major oilseed crops cultivated across India, including the,

• Groundnut
• Soybean
• Mustard
• Sunflower
• Sesame
• Niger
• Other important oilseed crops

The advisory is also tailored to the different agro-climatic conditions and farming practices.

Collaboration Behind the Initiative

The knowledge base has been also developed through the collaboration among several premier agricultural research institutions,

• ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR)
• ICAR-National Soybean Research Institute (ICAR-NSRI)
• ICAR-Indian Institute of Groundnut Research (ICAR-IIGR)
• ICAR-Indian Institute of Rapeseed and Mustard Research (ICAR-IIRMR)
• PC Unit (Sesame & Niger)

This collaborative approach also ensures the scientifically validated and region-specific recommendations.

Why Is This Initiative Important for Indian Agriculture?

The Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra bridges the gap between the agricultural research laboratories and farmers fields.

Key benefits includes the,

• Instant access to the scientific advisory.
• Multilingual support.
• Cost-free service.
• Wider outreach via WhatsApp.
• Better crop management decisions.
• Increased oilseed productivity.
• Support for the Digital Agriculture Mission.