24×7 multilingual AI chatbot delivers free research-based guidance, aiming to strengthen oilseed production and benefit the food and edible oil industry

Key Highlights

• ICAR has introduced ‘Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra’, India’s first nationwide WhatsApp-based AI advisory service for oilseed farmers.
• The platform offers 24×7 free, multilingual, research-based guidance on major oilseed crops.
• Farmers can seek advice on groundnut, mustard, soybean, sesame, sunflower, niger and other oilseeds.
• The initiative supports India’s objective of increasing domestic oilseed production and reducing edible oil imports.
• The service requires no separate app, making expert agricultural advice accessible through WhatsApp.

AI Meets Agriculture as ICAR Launches WhatsApp Advisory for Oilseed Farmers

In a significant step toward digital agriculture, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has launched ‘Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra’, a nationwide AI-powered advisory service that provides instant, research-based guidance to oilseed farmers through WhatsApp.

The initiative comes at the beginning of the kharif sowing season, when India is intensifying efforts to boost domestic oilseed production and reduce dependence on imported edible oils. By leveraging a platform already used by millions of Indians, ICAR aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and on-ground farming practices.

Free, Multilingual and Available 24×7

The AI chatbot allows farmers to ask questions in any Indian language and receive immediate recommendations based on scientific research. The advisory covers:

• Variety selection
• Crop management practices
• Pest and disease control
• Irrigation scheduling
• Post-harvest management
• Seed availability

Unlike many digital platforms, farmers do not need to download a dedicated application. A simple WhatsApp message enables access to expert guidance at any time.

Developed Through Collaborative Scientific Expertise

The knowledge base powering the chatbot has been developed through collaboration among multiple ICAR institutions, including:

• ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (IIOR)
• ICAR-National Soybean Research Institute (NSRI)
• ICAR-Indian Institute of Groundnut Research (IIGR)
• ICAR-Indian Institute of Rapeseed and Mustard Research (IIRMR)
• PC-Unit (Sesame & Niger)

This collaborative approach ensures recommendations are tailored to different oilseed crops and diverse agro-climatic regions across India.

Supporting India’s Edible Oil Mission

India remains one of the world’s largest importers of edible oils. Improving productivity and crop management for domestic oilseed farmers is a critical strategy to reduce import dependence while enhancing farmer incomes.

By providing real-time, research-backed advice directly on mobile phones, the initiative aims to improve decision-making throughout the crop cycle, potentially leading to higher yields and better quality produce.

Impact on Hospitality and Food Industry

While primarily an agricultural initiative, the platform has significant implications for the hospitality and food sectors.

• Restaurants and hotels depend heavily on edible oils for daily operations, making stable domestic production important for cost management.
• Food processing companies using mustard, groundnut and soybean oils could benefit from improved supply and productivity.
• Snack manufacturers, bakeries and QSR chains may see greater supply chain resilience if domestic oilseed output increases.
• Reduced dependence on imports can help moderate price volatility, supporting menu planning and procurement across the hospitality industry.
• Stronger domestic oilseed production also benefits India’s broader food ecosystem, from packaged foods to culinary tourism that celebrates regional ingredients.

Industry Takeaway

‘Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra‘ represents the growing convergence of artificial intelligence, agriculture and food security. By delivering scientific expertise directly through WhatsApp in multiple Indian languages, the initiative has the potential to strengthen India’s oilseed value chain—from farms to food manufacturers, restaurants and hospitality businesses—while supporting the country’s long-term objective of edible oil self-reliance.