Transforming Indian Agriculture: Kisan Sarathi 2.0 Agricultural Advisories for Rabi Crops Empower Farmers

Discover how Kisan Sarathi 2.0 agricultural advisories for Rabi crops empower farmers with digital tools, knowledge, and localized support.

The Indian agricultural sector is witnessing a digital revolution, with initiatives like Kisan Sarathi 2.0 agricultural advisories for Rabi crops reshaping how farmers access timely and credible information. Organized by the Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit (AKMU) of ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, a National Workshop on “Creation of Agricultural Advisories using Kisan Sarathi Kosh” was held on 23rd September 2025, demonstrating a major leap in empowering farmers with digital solutions.

This workshop was part of the ICAR project “Kisan Sarathi 2.0: Enhancement, Operation, Maintenance and Support”, co-funded by ICAR and the Digital India Corporation. It brought together around 75 delegates from ICAR institutes and partner organizations to collaboratively generate and validate advisories for Rabi crops, a critical crop season in India.

Understanding Kisan Sarathi 2.0

Kisan Sarathi 2.0 is more than a digital advisory platform. It is a multi-channel, multilingual ICT tool designed to deliver timely, localized, and crop-specific advisories to farmers. By integrating modern technology with expert agricultural knowledge, Kisan Sarathi 2.0 ensures precision, speed, and inclusivity in agricultural extension.

According to Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director of ICAR–IARI, the platform “empowers farmers by providing them localized, timely, and credible advisories, reducing uncertainties, improving decision-making, and enhancing resilience against climate risks.” This initiative aligns with India’s vision of a digitally empowered agricultural ecosystem.

Role of Kisan Sarathi Kosh

A key feature of Kisan Sarathi 2.0 is the Kisan Sarathi Kosh knowledge repository, a centralized digital library that hosts region-specific, crop-specific, and need-based information. Dr. Anil Rai, ADG (ICT), ICAR, emphasized that the Kosh acts as a dynamic bridge between scientists, extension workers, and farmers, enabling faster and more accurate response to queries.

The Kisan Sarathi Kosh is integral to creating advisories that support sustainable agricultural practices, covering areas such as horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and staple crops. Its digital structure allows for easy management, approval workflows, and dissemination of information to ensure farmers are well-informed.

Workshop Highlights

The National Workshop provided hands-on training to delegates, covering:

• Creation and dissemination of agricultural advisories
• User management and approval workflows
• Practical training on using Kisan Sarathi Kosh

These sessions were designed to equip participants with the skills needed to build a responsive and farmer-centric advisory system. Delegates expressed their commitment to leveraging digital tools to ensure farmers receive timely, localized, and effective information, thereby contributing to Atmanirbhar Krishi and Digital India initiatives.

Expert Insights

Dr. Rajender Prasad, Director of ICAR–IASRI, highlighted the digital solutions driving agricultural advisories. Dr. Amrender Kumar, Incharge AKMU, ICAR–IARI, added that Kisan Sarathi 2.0 ensures that advisories reach farmers in the right language, location, and time, enabling better productivity and profitability.

These expert insights underscore the importance of integrating digital technology with knowledge management to improve the overall efficiency of agricultural extension services.

Benefits for Farmers

The platform offers numerous benefits for Indian farmers:

• Localized Advice: Region-specific advisories tailored to local crops
• Timely Information: Real-time alerts to support crop management decisions
• Multi-Sector Coverage: Guidance across crops, horticulture, livestock, and fisheries
• Digital Accessibility: Multi-channel access including mobile, web, and SMS
• Empowered Decision-Making: Enhances resilience against climate variability

Farmers using Kisan Sarathi 2.0 can make informed decisions about Rabi crops, improving yield, reducing input costs, and mitigating risks associated with climate and market volatility.

Integration with National Digital Initiatives

Kisan Sarathi 2.0 is aligned with India’s broader Digital India and agricultural modernization programs, bridging the gap between traditional farming methods and digital advisories. By connecting local knowledge with centralized data, the platform contributes to Atmanirbhar Krishi and sustainable agricultural practices.

Internal and External Resources for Farmers

For additional guidance and resources, farmers and stakeholders can access:

• NCERT Courses: Explore for agricultural courses and related subjects
• Current Affairs: Read to stay updated on agricultural policies
• Notes & MCQs: Access and Practice for better learning
• Educational Videos: Watch related to agriculture and crop management
• Syllabus & NCERT PDFs: Download and Get PDFs
• NCERT Mind Maps: Explore for quick revision

External references include authoritative educational and technological sources, such as Mart India Infotech, which supports school and digital initiatives.

Future of Agricultural Advisories

The success of the workshop demonstrates the transformative potential of Kisan Sarathi 2.0 in enhancing the reach and effectiveness of agricultural advisories. With continued innovation and expert-led training, farmers across India are poised to benefit from:

• Improved crop productivity
• Reduced uncertainty in farming operations
• Faster access to expert guidance
• Greater resilience against climate-related challenges

Experts recommend expanding similar digital initiatives to cover more regions and crop types, further bridging the knowledge gap in agriculture.

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10 FAQs on Kisan Sarathi 2.0 Agricultural Advisories

1. What is Kisan Sarathi 2.0 agricultural advisories for Rabi crops?
   It is a digital platform providing region-specific, timely, and credible advisories for farmers during Rabi season.
2. What is Kisan Sarathi Kosh?
   A centralized knowledge repository that hosts crop-specific advisories and farming guidance.
3. How does Kisan Sarathi 2.0 help farmers?
   It empowers farmers with localized information, multi-channel access, and expert guidance for informed decision-making.
4. Which crops are covered by Kisan Sarathi 2.0?
   Rabi crops, horticulture, livestock, and fisheries.
5. Who organizes Kisan Sarathi workshops?
   The Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit (AKMU) of ICAR–IARI organizes them with support from ICAR and Digital India Corporation.
6. How can farmers access Kisan Sarathi advisories?
   Through mobile apps, web portals, SMS, and other digital channels.
7. Why is Kisan Sarathi 2.0 important for Rabi crops?
   It provides timely guidance during critical crop growth periods to enhance yield and profitability.
8. What training is provided in Kisan Sarathi workshops?
   Creation, approval, and dissemination of advisories, along with hands-on training on Kisan Sarathi Kosh.
9. How does Kisan Sarathi support Atmanirbhar Krishi?
   By providing self-reliant digital tools that improve agricultural productivity and resilience.
10. Where can I find additional educational resources related to Kisan Sarathi?
    Internal links include NCERT Courses, Notes, MCQs, Syllabus, and Videos. External references include Mart India Infotech.