Farmers growing mustard, soybean, groundnut and other oilseeds can now ask crop-related questions through WhatsApp and receive research-based answers. ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research developed Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra as a free, multilingual AI advisory service available 24 hours a day.
The service was launched on February 6, 2026, during the National Oilseeds Conference in New Delhi. It does not require farmers to download a separate application. They can use WhatsApp, a platform already familiar to many users, to ask questions about their crops.
How can farmers use the service?
Farmers need to save +91 4024598180 on their phone under the name Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra. They can then open WhatsApp and send a question in their preferred Indian language.
The service is free and designed to respond instantly. Farmers can ask questions throughout the crop cycle, from selecting a suitable variety to managing pests, irrigation and post-harvest activities.
The chatbot covers major oilseed crops, including groundnut, mustard, sesame, sunflower, soybean and niger. The knowledge base was developed using research from several ICAR institutes specialising in different oilseed crops.
ICAR-IIOR worked with the National Soybean Research Institute, Indian Institute of Groundnut Research, Indian Institute of Rapeseed and Mustard Research and the PC Unit for Sesame and Niger.
Farmers can ask about variety selection, crop management, pest and disease control, irrigation scheduling, seed availability and post-harvest practices. The system is designed to understand questions typed in regional languages and provide crop-specific information.
This means a farmer does not need to search separate websites for each problem. A question about irrigation, for example, can be submitted directly through the WhatsApp interface.
Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra uses an AI agent connected to a knowledge base built from scientific information produced by ICAR’s oilseed research institutions. The system processes the farmer’s question and retrieves relevant information before generating an answer.
The knowledge base was developed collaboratively to cover different oilseed crops and agro-climatic conditions. This approach is intended to connect existing agricultural research with farmers through a familiar digital platform.
Does the farmer need another app?
No. This is one of the main features of the service. Farmers can access it through WhatsApp without installing a separate agricultural application or opening an internet browser.
That can make access simpler for farmers who already use WhatsApp but may not regularly use specialised agricultural websites. The service also removes the need to remember multiple portals for different oilseed-related questions.
Is the service available in Indian languages?
Yes. ICAR says farmers can communicate with the chatbot in Indian languages. The system was developed as a multilingual service so that language does not become a barrier to accessing oilseed research.
This matters because agricultural advice needs to be understood before it can be applied. Farmers can ask questions in the language they normally use rather than translating technical information themselves.
ICAR-IIOR did not build the service using information from a single research centre. The knowledge base combines expertise from several ICAR institutions working on different oilseed crops.
The participating institutes include ICAR-IIOR, ICAR-NSRI, ICAR-IIGR, ICAR-IIRMR and the PC Unit for Sesame and Niger. Their combined research provides the scientific base for the chatbot’s responses.
The chatbot can provide guidance related to pest and disease management. Farmers can describe a problem and ask for information about possible management measures based on the crop they are growing.
Farmers should still provide enough detail for a useful response, including the crop, growth stage and symptoms. Where a field problem needs physical inspection, local agricultural experts and Krishi Vigyan Kendras remain important sources of advice.
Can it recommend irrigation?
Yes. Irrigation scheduling is among the areas covered by the chatbot. Farmers can ask questions related to irrigation during different stages of crop growth.
The usefulness of any irrigation recommendation depends on local conditions such as crop, soil, weather, growth stage and available water. Farmers should therefore provide relevant details rather than asking only a general question such as when to irrigate.
Seed availability is also included in the service. Farmers can ask questions related to varieties and seed availability while planning cultivation.
Variety selection can affect crop performance because different varieties have different maturity periods, disease responses and suitability for local conditions. Farmers should provide their location and crop details when asking for variety-related guidance.
In a farming WhatsApp group, answers can come from other farmers, dealers or individuals whose expertise may vary. Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra is designed around a knowledge base developed from ICAR research.
That does not mean every AI response should replace expert consultation. The value of the service lies in giving farmers quick access to research-based information while allowing them to seek further help when a field problem requires direct assessment.
What other digital advisory platforms exist?
Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra is not India’s only digital farm-advisory service. Kisan Sarathi, launched in 2021, connects farmers with more than 730 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, over 100 ICAR institutes and agricultural universities.
As of June 25, 2026, Kisan Sarathi covered 36 States and Union Territories, 768 districts and 6.63 lakh villages, with 2.95 crore registered farmers.
Kisan Sarathi also provides access through WhatsApp, mobile applications, web services, Common Service Centres and Kisan Call Centres. Farmers can connect with experts, receive weather and market information and access government-scheme information through the platform.
Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra is more narrowly focused on oilseed crops, while Kisan Sarathi covers a much wider range of agricultural and allied activities.
Farmers can make the service more useful by giving specific information. Instead of asking, “What should I do for mustard?”, they can mention the variety, crop age, location and problem they are seeing.
For a pest-related question, farmers can describe symptoms and, where the service supports it, provide relevant details about the affected plant. Clear questions can help the system provide more targeted information.
The service is designed to improve access to research-based information, not remove the need for agricultural experts. Crop problems can vary between fields because of soil, weather, pests, disease pressure and farming practices.
Farmers can use AI advice as an initial source of information and then approach a KVK, agricultural officer or other qualified expert when they need field-level diagnosis or a recommendation specific to their farm.
Why does this matter for oilseed farmers?
India has been seeking to increase domestic oilseed production and reduce dependence on edible-oil imports. Making research-based crop advice easier to access is one part of that effort.
Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra gives farmers a direct digital route to information from ICAR’s oilseed research network. Its focus on familiar technology and regional languages is designed to reduce barriers to accessing that information.
Farmers can save the Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra number, ask questions in their preferred language and provide specific information about their crop and problem. They should also compare important recommendations with local conditions and seek expert help when necessary.
The service is most useful when treated as a quick advisory tool rather than the only source of farm decisions. Local weather, soil conditions and field observations still matter when applying any recommendation.
Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra shows how agricultural research can reach farmers through a platform they already use. The service provides free, multilingual, 24-hour access to information on major oilseed crops and covers crop management, pests, irrigation, varieties and post-harvest practices.
For farmers, the practical step is simple: save +91 4024598180 on WhatsApp and ask a specific question about the crop. The response can provide a starting point, while KVKs and agricultural experts remain available for problems that require local or field-level assessment.
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