Bharat VISTAAR could be a game changer in Indian agriculture, experts say
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A series of initiatives announced in Union Budget 2026-27 to increase farmer income can position agriculture as a strategic engine of growth, say industry stakeholders and sector experts. In their post-Budget responses, experts representing domestic as well as global players in the agri-sector said the announcement of AI based platform Bharat VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) illustrates the tech-led growth plans of the government.
“The Union Budget 2026 reinforces the shift towards high-value, climate-resilient agriculture anchored in productivity, technology and value chains. This aligns strongly with Bayer’s focus on science-based innovation, sustainable farming practices and integrated solutions that help small and marginal farmers build resilient and profitable farm systems”, Simon Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head, Crop Science Division of Bayer in India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka said.
Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia highlighted the government’s focus on high-value agriculture, farm productivity and encouraging entrepreneurship. “The introduction of technology-led initiatives like Bharat VISTAAR is a positive step, as it can help farmers access timely, data-driven insights and adopt better farming practices. The continued emphasis on value addition, support for women-led rural enterprises, and long-term sustainability aligns well with the industry’s focus on responsible fertiliser use and efficient farming systems. Overall, these initiatives move Indian agriculture towards a more productive, technology-enabled and sustainable future”, Kanwar said.
January 2026
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M.K. Dhanuka, Chairman, Dhanuka Agritech felt the government’s emphasis on high-value crops, crop diversification, post-harvest processing, and region-specific programmes for coconut, sandalwood, and nut crops to be a positive step towards improving farmer incomes and reducing production risks. “These initiatives are in line with our vision of a self-reliant, prosperous, and sustainable agricultural future”, Dhanuka said.
Anand Chandra, Co-founder & Executive Director, Arya.ag found Bharat VISTAAR to be an initiative that brings the promise of making agri-advisory more intelligent, timely, and accessible at the farm gate. “By integrating AI with AgriStack and ICAR advisories in multiple languages, it can support better decisions on crops, inputs, and markets, especially for smallholder and first-generation women farmers”, he said.
Boston Consulting Group (BCG), it’s response to the Union Budget pointed out that AI-driven advisory and digital tools can serve as a critical decision support co-pilot for farmers and agriculture extension workers. “Personalized, data-driven advisory support has the potential to enhance productivity, optimize input usage, facilitate better price discovery and meaningfully reduce risks for farmers” Aparna Bijapurkar, Managing Director & Partner, BCG said.
According to Vivek Gupta, Managing Director of Oswal Pumps, Budget 2026–27 positions agriculture as a strategic engine of growth by treating irrigation efficiency, technology adoption, and rural infrastructure as core investments rather than discretionary spending. “By aligning fiscal prudence with farmer-centric initiatives, the government is creating the foundation for sustainable income growth, water security, and a resilient, future-ready agricultural sector in India", he said.