India has launched ‘Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra’, the nation’s first AI-based WhatsApp advisory service for oilseed farmers, on 16 June 2026. Developed by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (IIOR), Hyderabad, this free service provides 24/7 research-backed, multilingual guidance to boost domestic production and reduce edible oil import dependency.
Operational Framework and Key Features
- Accessibility: Farmers can access the service via WhatsApp by saving the dedicated contact number (+91 4024598180), eliminating the need for separate app downloads.
- Knowledge Base: The platform integrates data from specialized ICAR institutes, including the National Soybean Research Institute (Indore), Indian Institute of Groundnut Research (Junagadh), and Indian Institute of Rapeseed and Mustard Research (Bharatpur).
- Crop Coverage: Provides diagnostic and management workflows for six major oilseeds: Soybean, Groundnut, Rapeseed & Mustard, Sunflower, Sesame, and Niger.
- Lifecycle Support: Offers dynamic recommendations covering pre-sowing seed selection, agronomic management, pest/disease diagnostics, irrigation scheduling, and post-harvest operations.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Strategic Goal: India imports 50–60% of its edible oil requirements; this initiative supports Atmanirbharta by increasing per-hectare productivity.
- Import Profile: The import bill is dominated by palm oil (Indonesia, Malaysia), followed by soybean and sunflower oil.
- Policy Linkage: The initiative complements the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), which focuses on expanding cultivation in the North-East and island territories.
- Nodal Agency: ICAR (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) is the apex body for agricultural research and education in India.