Key Details
Kisan Sarathi brings together agricultural research institutions, extension agencies and digital public platforms to create an integrated advisory ecosystem that provides farmers with personalised, multilingual and interactive support.
Component | What It Integrates | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
Scientific Advisory Network | Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR institutes, agricultural universities and domain experts | Connects farmers directly with scientific and localised agricultural expertise |
Interactive Advisory System | Interactive Information Dissemination System (IIDS) supporting voice, video, text, images and chat | Enables two-way farmer–expert communication instead of one-way information dissemination |
Multi-Channel Access | Kisan Call Centres, Common Service Centres, WhatsApp, mobile app and web portal | Improves accessibility across varying levels of digital literacy and connectivity |
Government Service Integration | Government schemes, PM-KISAN status, weather updates and market information | Creates a single access point for multiple agricultural services |
Personalised Advisory | Recommendations based on crop, location, farmer profile and agricultural domain | Makes advisories more relevant to individual farming conditions |
Digital Convergence | Integration with IMD, MyScheme, BHASHINI and extension institutions | Builds a connected digital public infrastructure for agricultural services |
Platform Reach (as of 25 June 2026)
2.95 crore registered farmers
56.16 lakh women farmers
Coverage across 37 States/UTs, 768 districts and 6.63 lakh villages
Network of 730+ Krishi Vigyan Kendras
100+ ICAR institutes and 65+ agricultural universities
19.21 lakh farmer queries addressed
21,900 advisories issued covering 351 commodities
Summary
India Is Building a Unified Digital Agricultural Advisory System
India’s agricultural extension system has traditionally relied on multiple, disconnected channels for weather forecasts, crop advisories, market intelligence, government schemes and expert consultation. This fragmentation often makes it difficult for farmers to obtain timely, locally relevant and scientifically validated guidance.
Kisan Sarathi seeks to address this challenge by creating a unified digital agricultural advisory platform that brings together research institutions, extension agencies and digital public platforms into a single ecosystem. Rather than functioning as another standalone application, the platform aims to become a common interface through which farmers can access scientific advisories, government schemes, weather intelligence, market information and expert support.
From One-Way Information Delivery to Interactive Advisory Services
The platform’s distinguishing feature is its Interactive Information Dissemination System (IIDS), which enables two-way communication between farmers and agricultural experts. Farmers can submit queries through voice calls, video, text, photographs and chat, while experts can access the farmer’s profile, previous interactions and local context before providing recommendations.
This represents a shift in agricultural extension from periodically broadcasting information towards providing continuous, personalised advisory support based on the farmer’s specific circumstances.
Connecting Research Institutions Directly with Farmers
Kisan Sarathi links farmers with a nationwide network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR institutes, agricultural universities and domain specialists. The platform therefore strengthens the long-standing lab-to-land knowledge transfer model by enabling scientific research and field expertise to reach farmers more efficiently through digital channels.
Its advisory coverage extends beyond crop cultivation to include livestock, fisheries, horticulture, plantation crops, fodder, poultry and other allied sectors, reflecting the diversification of India’s rural economy.
Digital Convergence Expands the Scope of Agricultural Services
The platform also demonstrates a broader model of digital convergence by integrating multiple government services into a single interface. Alongside scientific advisories, farmers can access weather forecasts, market prices, government scheme information, PM-KISAN status, and multilingual support through BHASHINI.
By supporting access through Kisan Call Centres, Common Service Centres, WhatsApp, mobile applications and the web portal, the platform seeks to improve inclusion for farmers with different levels of digital literacy and internet connectivity.
A Digital Public Infrastructure for Agricultural Extension
With coverage extending to 37 States and Union Territories, 768 districts, 6.63 lakh villages and nearly three crore registered farmers, Kisan Sarathi is emerging as an important component of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture.
Beyond supporting individual farmers, the platform also generates valuable field-level insights through farmer queries and interaction data. These feedback loops can help research institutions, extension agencies and policymakers identify emerging challenges, refine advisories and strengthen evidence-based agricultural planning.
What is Digital Agricultural Extension?
Digital agricultural extension refers to the use of digital technologies to deliver scientific farming advice, weather information, market intelligence, government services and expert consultation directly to farmers. Unlike traditional extension systems that rely primarily on physical outreach, digital extension enables continuous, personalised and interactive engagement through multiple communication channels.
Policy Relevance
Positions digital agricultural extension as a core component of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure for agriculture.
Strengthens lab-to-land knowledge transfer by connecting farmers directly with ICAR institutions, agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
Demonstrates how digital convergence can integrate advisories, weather intelligence, market information and government schemes through a single farmer interface.
Provides policymakers with real-time field intelligence through farmer queries and interaction data, supporting more responsive agricultural planning.
Expands opportunities for women farmers and underserved regions to access scientific agricultural advice through multilingual and multi-channel service delivery.
Illustrates India’s evolving approach to agricultural modernisation by combining digital infrastructure, institutional networks and localised advisory services to strengthen farm resilience and productivity.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: As digital agricultural advisory platforms expand, how should governments measure success beyond user registrations—through improvements in farm productivity, climate resilience, technology adoption, farmer incomes or access to public programmes?
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