ICAR Launches WhatsApp AI Advisor for Oilseed Farmers

The introduction of Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra comes at a time when India is working to boost oilseed production and reduce reliance on imported edible oils.

As India begins the kharif sowing season and intensifies efforts to increase domestic oilseed production, a new digital initiative is helping farmers access expert agricultural guidance directly through their smartphones. The ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad, has introduced Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra, an AI-powered advisory service available on WhatsApp that delivers crop-specific recommendations in multiple Indian languages.

Launched during the National Oilseeds Conference in New Delhi on 6 February 2026, the platform reflects ICAR's growing focus on using digital technologies to make scientific agricultural knowledge more accessible to farmers across the country.

Expert Advice Available Anytime on WhatsApp

The service allows oilseed farmers to receive instant, research-backed guidance without downloading any additional applications. Farmers simply need to save +91 4024598180 as "Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra" and send their questions through WhatsApp in their preferred Indian language.

The chatbot provides round-the-clock support on major oilseed crops including groundnut, soybean, mustard, sunflower, sesame and niger. It offers recommendations on variety selection, crop management, pest and disease control, irrigation practices, post-harvest management and seed availability.

Available 24 hours a day and completely free of charge, the platform is designed to bring reliable agricultural information directly to farmers through a communication tool they already use regularly.

Bringing Research Closer to Farmers

According to Dr. R.K. Mathur, Director of ICAR-IIOR, the initiative represents a significant step in connecting scientific research with farming communities. He said the platform combines the expertise of multiple ICAR institutions with multilingual artificial intelligence, helping overcome barriers related to language, distance and access to technical knowledge.

The knowledge base has been developed through collaboration between several leading research institutes, including the ICAR-National Soybean Research Institute (NSRI), ICAR-Indian Institute of Groundnut Research (IIGR), ICAR-Indian Institute of Rapeseed and Mustard Research (IIRMR), and the PC Unit for Sesame and Niger.

This collaborative approach ensures that farmers receive region-specific and crop-specific recommendations suited to different agro-climatic conditions across India.

Supporting India's Oilseed Mission

The introduction of Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra comes at a time when India is working to boost oilseed production and reduce reliance on imported edible oils. By providing timely information on cultivation practices and crop management, the platform aims to help farmers improve productivity and make informed decisions throughout the crop cycle.

The AI system can understand questions typed in regional languages and respond with practical, scientifically validated advice through a familiar WhatsApp interface. The ease of access is expected to encourage wider adoption among farmers, particularly during the critical kharif season.

With technology increasingly becoming part of modern agriculture, Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra offers a simple yet powerful way to connect research institutions and farming communities, ensuring that expert guidance reaches farmers whenever they need it.