In a significant move to bolster India's agricultural and rural sectors, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled two major initiatives during her Union Budget presentation for the fiscal year 2026-27. The announcements, made on Sunday, include the launch of a multilingual artificial intelligence tool named Bharat Vistar and the establishment of SHE Marts to empower rural women entrepreneurs.
Bharat Vistar: AI-Powered Agricultural Revolution
Finance Minister Sitharaman detailed the Bharat Vistar initiative, which stands for Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources. This advanced AI tool is designed to be multilingual, ensuring accessibility for farmers across diverse linguistic backgrounds in India.
The primary objective of Bharat Vistar is to integrate existing agricultural resources with cutting-edge artificial intelligence systems. Specifically, it will merge the Agristack portal and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) package on agricultural practices. This integration aims to create a comprehensive digital platform that provides farmers with real-time, customized advisory support.
By leveraging AI, Bharat Vistar is expected to enhance agricultural productivity significantly. It will enable farmers to make better-informed decisions regarding crop selection, irrigation, pest management, and market trends. Moreover, the tool is projected to reduce risks associated with farming by offering predictive analytics and personalized recommendations based on local conditions and historical data.
SHE Marts: Empowering Rural Women Entrepreneurs
In addition to the technological push, Sitharaman announced the SHE Marts initiative, which focuses on promoting rural women-led enterprises. SHE stands for Self Help Entrepreneur, and this program builds upon the success of the existing Lakhpati Didi scheme.
The Finance Minister emphasized that SHE Marts will help women transition from credit-linked livelihoods to becoming owners of their own enterprises. These community-owned retail outlets will be established within cluster development federations, utilizing enhanced and innovative financing instruments to ensure sustainability and growth.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to foster economic independence and entrepreneurship among women in rural areas. By providing a structured platform for retail and business operations, SHE Marts aim to create new opportunities for income generation and community development.
Focus on High-Value Agriculture
Sitharaman also outlined plans to promote high-value agriculture, targeting specific crops such as sandalwood, cashews, and walnuts. The goal is to increase the output of these lucrative products, which have significant domestic and international market demand.
This focus aligns with the government's efforts to diversify agricultural production and enhance farmers' incomes. By encouraging the cultivation of high-value crops, the initiative seeks to improve profitability and reduce dependency on traditional, low-margin farming practices.
The announcements reflect a comprehensive approach to rural development, combining technological innovation with entrepreneurial support. The Bharat Vistar AI tool and SHE Marts are poised to play pivotal roles in transforming India's agricultural landscape and empowering rural communities, particularly women, in the coming years.
