ICAR’s WhatsApp AI Service Gives Oilseed Farmers Expert Advice 24×7

Farmers growing oilseed crops can now receive scientific advice directly on their mobile phones through Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra, a WhatsApp-based artificial intelligence service developed by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad. The platform provides round-the-clock advisory services in multiple Indian languages, making expert guidance more accessible to farmers across the country.

The service was launched during the National Oilseeds Conference to support India’s efforts to increase domestic oilseed production and reduce dependence on edible oil imports. Researchers say the platform combines ICAR’s scientific recommendations with AI technology to answer farmers’ questions instantly and accurately.

Unlike many agricultural applications that require downloading dedicated software, Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra works through WhatsApp, one of the most widely used messaging platforms in India.

Farmers can ask questions related to crops such as soybean, mustard, groundnut, sunflower, sesame and safflower. The AI assistant provides guidance on seed selection, sowing, nutrient management, irrigation, pest control and disease management based on ICAR’s research.

The multilingual platform also removes language barriers by responding in the farmer’s preferred Indian language, making scientific information easier to understand and apply in the field.

Round-the-Clock Support

Agricultural problems often arise outside office hours. Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra addresses this challenge by offering advisory services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Researchers say immediate access to reliable information helps farmers make timely decisions during critical crop stages. Instead of waiting for expert visits or extension programmes, farmers can receive recommendations within minutes through their mobile phones.

The service is expected to strengthen agricultural extension by allowing scientists to reach a much larger number of farmers through digital technology.

India imports a significant share of its edible oil requirement every year. Increasing domestic oilseed production has therefore become a national priority.

Scientists believe better access to scientific advisory services can improve crop management, reduce avoidable losses and increase productivity. Timely recommendations on nutrient management, pest control and weather-related risks can help farmers produce better yields while reducing unnecessary input costs.

The initiative also complements other government programmes that promote oilseed cultivation and digital agriculture across the country.

A Step Towards Digital Agriculture

Digital advisory platforms are becoming an important part of Indian agriculture as smartphone and internet access expand in rural areas.

ICAR says Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra demonstrates how artificial intelligence can make agricultural knowledge available directly to farmers in a simple and practical way. By combining research-based recommendations with an easy-to-use messaging platform, the initiative aims to strengthen oilseed farming and support India’s goal of achieving greater self-reliance in edible oil production.