CHENNAI, 15 February 2025: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has joined forces with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare to revolutionize agricultural extension services through Project VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources).
This collaboration aims to enhance the efficiency and reach of these services through digitalization.
Project VISTAAR seeks to strengthen the agricultural extension system by leveraging the innovative capabilities of startups. Recognizing the unique opportunities within the agricultural sector, the project will connect farmers with startups offering cutting-edge technologies and services. This will enable farmers and other stakeholders to easily access information on available solutions and improve productivity and market access.
IIT Madras's Centre for Research on Start-ups and Risk Financing, in conjunction with its incubated startup YNOS Venture Engine, has compiled a comprehensive database of the Indian startup landscape, including 12,000 startups connected to agriculture and allied sectors. A newly signed MoU between IIT Madras and the Agriculture Ministry will integrate this valuable information into the VISTAAR platform.
“Agriculture is fundamental to India's social and economic structure,” said Prof. Thillai Rajan A., Head of the Centre for Research on Start-ups at IIT Madras. “Startups play a crucial role in driving innovation across the agricultural value chain. This collaboration will bring our rich startup data within easy reach of farmers, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of the Agriculture Ministry's extension services.”
Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary (Extension) at the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, emphasized the importance of connecting agricultural startups with farmers. “Agri-startups' innovative technologies contribute to sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. Connecting this technology with farmers through extension services is critical. This collaboration with IIT Madras will pave the way for achieving this objective through VISTAAR DPI for Agriculture Extension.”
Digitalizing the extension system will significantly expand its reach, providing farmers with access to high-quality advisory services on crop production, marketing, value and supply chain management. VISTAAR will also provide information on relevant government schemes related to agriculture, allied sectors, and rural development. This digitalization effort complements the existing extension system by delivering timely, contextual, and accurate information to farmers.
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