As India steps into the kharif sowing season with a renewed push to boost domestic oilseed production and reduce dependence on edible oil imports, ‘Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra’, a WhatsApp-based AI advisory service developed by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad, is emerging as a transformative tool. It brings trusted, research-driven knowledge on oilseed cultivation directly to farmers’ mobile phones, at any time and in their own language.
The service was launched on February 6, 2026, by the Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR during the National Oilseeds Conference in New Delhi, highlighting ICAR’s commitment to leveraging digital technology for the direct benefit of farmers. Designed for ease of use, the initiative allows any oilseed grower in India to access free and instant crop advisory through WhatsApp, a platform already widely familiar, eliminating the need to download additional applications.
Farmers can simply save the number +91 4024598180 as ‘Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra’ and send queries in any Indian language related to crops such as groundnut, mustard, sesame, sunflower, soybean, and niger. The AI-powered chatbot responds instantly with scientific, research-based guidance on every aspect of cultivation, including variety selection, crop management, pest and disease control, irrigation practices and post-harvest handling. The service operates кругл-the-clock, providing support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no cost.
Dr. R.K. Mathur, Director of ICAR-IIOR, emphasized that this initiative marks a significant milestone in delivering ICAR’s collective oilseed research directly to farmers across the country in their preferred language, through a platform they already use. By integrating the expertise of ICAR-IIOR, the National Soybean Research Institute, the Indian Institute of Groundnut Research, the Indian Institute of Rapeseed and Mustard Research, and the PC-Unit for Sesame and Niger, the service eliminates long-standing barriers of distance, language and cost that have traditionally separated laboratory research from field-level practice. With the kharif sowing season underway, he urged farmers and stakeholders to make full use of this tool for timely and informed decision-making.
Powered by advanced artificial intelligence and a robust knowledge base drawn from multiple ICAR institutions, the chatbot is capable of understanding queries in regional languages and delivering accurate, crop-specific advice. It covers the entire crop cycle, right from seed selection to post-harvest management and even seed availability. The platform’s simplicity, combined with its scientific credibility, makes it a powerful support system for improving productivity and strengthening India’s oilseed sector.
