Context: Recently, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has announced a collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare on Project VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources).

About Project VISTAAR

• It aims to transform agricultural extension service by making information easily accessible to farmers from start-ups in agriculture and allied sectors. 

• The digitalisation of the agriculture extension service will help farmers in accessing high quality advisory services on crop production, marketing, value addition, and supply chain management. 

• The advisory services will also help the farmers to avail benefits of government schemes related to agriculture, allied sectors and rural development. 

• The platform incorporates a database of over 12,000 start-ups in the agricultural and farming sectors, providing farmers access to start-up driven innovations and technologies. 

• Eg: Innovative technologies developed by agri-start-ups can make agriculture sustainable and climate resilient. 

Objectives

• Digitalise the agricultural extension system to improve efficiency and outreach.

• Provide farmers access to start-up-driven innovations and technologies in agriculture and allied sectors.

• Enhance adoption of sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices.

Key Features:

• Integration of data on over 12,000 Agri-startups through IIT Madras’ startup information platform and it incubate, YNOS Venture Engine.

• Advisory services covering crop production, marketing, value addition, and supply chain management.

• Easy access to government schemes related to agriculture and rural development.

• Delivery of accurate, timely, and contextual information to farmers to improve decision-making.