The Kisan Sarathi Platform: Technology to Unite, Empower & Strengthen India’s Agricultural Ecosystem
(Source: PIB | Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology & Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare)
Topic: GS-2: E-Governance | Digital Service Delivery , GS-3: Agriculture | Agri-Tech | Farmer Welfare
Context
- Kisan Sarathi is India’s integrated digital agro-advisory platform, connecting farmers with expert advice, weather information, government schemes and market services.
- Since its launch in 2021, it has expanded across all States/UTs with nearly 3 crore registered farmers.
Key Highlights
- 2.95 crore registered farmers.
- Coverage across 37 States/UTs, 768 districts and 6.63 lakh villages.
- 730+ Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) connected.
- 610 government schemes available.
- 13 regional languages supported.
Major Features
Integrated Farmer Services
- Single platform for advisories, schemes, weather and market information.
- Links farmers with ICAR institutes, KVKs and agricultural universities.
- Reduces fragmentation in agricultural extension services.
Digital Advisory
- Personalised crop advisories based on farmer profile.
- Location-specific weather alerts.
- Expert consultation in 13 regional languages.
- Covers crops, livestock, fisheries and horticulture.
Scheme Delivery
- Access to 610 Central and State schemes.
- PM-KISAN status tracking.
- Integration with MyScheme and Common Service Centres (CSCs).
Technology Integration
- Uses Interactive Information Dissemination System (IIDS).
- Supports web portal, mobile app, WhatsApp, IVRS and call centres.
- Connected with IMD and BHASHINI for multilingual support.
Challenges
- Most registrations still occur through KVK visits.
- Low participation of women farmers.
- Active usage remains lower than total registrations.
- Dependence on physical extension infrastructure.
UPSC Value Addition
- Launched: 16 July 2021.
- Implements the Know Your Farmer (KYF) approach.
- Key institutions:
- ICAR
- IASRI
- Digital India Corporation
- Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
- Supports Digital Agriculture Mission and AgriStack initiatives.
Way Forward
- Increase app and WhatsApp-based onboarding.
- Improve outreach to women farmers through SHGs and FPOs.
- Integrate with AgriStack for better personalised services.
- Evaluate impact on farm productivity and income, not just registrations.
- Strengthen last-mile digital literacy.
Conclusion
- Kisan Sarathi represents a significant step towards digital agricultural extension by bringing advisory, weather and government services onto a single platform. Greater digital adoption and outcome-based implementation can make it a key pillar of technology-driven agricultural transformation.