Kisan Call Center (KCC)

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

For farmers, making the right decisions at the right time is important for a good harvest. However, questions about crop diseases, pests, seeds, fertilisers, changing weather and market prices can make farming challenging. To help farmers deal with these problems, the Government of India launched the Kisan Call Centre (KCC) on 21 January 2004. It provides a simple way for farmers to seek expert advice and get answers to their farming-related questions over the phone, without having to visit an agricultural office. Farmers can call the toll-free number 1800-180-1551 to get free guidance in 22 local languages. The service is available every day, from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, so farmers can seek help whenever they need agricultural information or advice.

The Kisan Call Centre works under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Its main aim is to help farmers get useful farming information and expert advice easily. Trained Farm Tele Advisors (FTAs) answer farmers' questions about agriculture and related activities. If a question needs specialised knowledge, it can be referred to experts from State Agriculture Departments, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) or State Agricultural Universities (SAUs).

The Kisan Call Centre provides guidance on crop cultivation, pest and disease management, seeds, fertilisers, weather, market information, modern farming techniques and government schemes. Farmers can also ask questions about related activities such as horticulture, animal husbandry and fisheries. If all call lines are busy, the system may provide information about the waiting queue and play seasonal farming advisories. Farmers may also be able to leave a voice message with their question and receive a response or callback. Those interested in receiving farming information through SMS can ask about registration for the separate SMS advisory service.

The service is available to farmers and people seeking advice on agriculture and related activities across India. There is no separate eligibility test, income limit or mandatory document requirement specified for asking questions through the helpline. Farmers can simply call 1800-180-1551 or the short code 1551, explain their farming problem and get guidance from an advisor. If the advisor cannot answer the question, farmers may receive help through the query referral process. For more information, they can visit the official Kisan Call Centre portal.

Farmers looking for other forms of agricultural support can also explore the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which provides crop insurance coverage against specified risks, and the Kisan Credit Card Scheme, which helps eligible farmers access credit for agricultural and allied activities. Farmers seeking direct income support can also learn about the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN). These schemes serve different purposes and may be useful alongside the agricultural guidance available through the Kisan Call Centre.

Scheme Benefits

The Kisan Call Centre helps farmers get useful farming information and expert guidance over the phone without having to visit an agricultural office. Its main benefits include:

• Farmers can get free agricultural advice by calling the toll-free number 1800-180-1551.
• The service provides guidance in 22 local languages, making it easier for farmers to understand the information.
• Farmers can ask questions about crop cultivation, sowing practices, seeds, fertilisers and plant protection.
• Farmers can seek advice on identifying and managing crop pests and diseases.
• The service provides weather-related guidance and agricultural market information to help farmers make informed farming decisions.
• Farmers can get information about agriculture-related government schemes and their benefits.
• The service also covers allied activities such as horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and beekeeping.
• If a Farm Tele Advisor cannot answer a question, it can be referred to agricultural experts from ICAR institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and State Agriculture Departments.
• If all call lines are busy, farmers may be able to leave a voice message of up to two minutes and receive a response or callback.
• Farmers can enquire about registration for SMS-based agricultural advisories to receive relevant farming information on their mobile phones.
• The helpline operates from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week, allowing farmers to seek assistance on Sundays and holidays as well.

Eligibility Requirements

The Kisan Call Centre is designed to make agricultural information and expert guidance accessible to people across India. Farmers do not need to meet specific income or landholding criteria to ask questions through this helpline. The main requirements are:

• Farmers involved in agriculture can contact the helpline for farming-related advice.
• People seeking information about allied activities, such as horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and beekeeping, can also use the service.
• There is no separate application form specified for asking questions through the helpline.
• Farmers do not need to submit land ownership documents or income certificates to ask a question.
• Farmers can call the toll-free number 1800-180-1551 or the short code 1551 to seek assistance.
• Farmers who want SMS-based agricultural advisories may need to register separately for that service.

Required Documents

Farmers can contact the Kisan Call Centre to ask agricultural questions without submitting a separate application. The official information does not specify any mandatory documents for using the helpline. Therefore, farmers generally do not need to prepare the following documents just to seek advice:

• Aadhaar card
• Land ownership documents
• Income certificate
• Bank passbook
• Passport-size photographs
• Separate application form

Steps to Apply

Farmers do not need to fill out an application form to seek advice through the Kisan Call Centre. They can contact the helpline directly and explain their farming-related questions to an advisor by following these steps.

1. Call the helpline: Dial the toll-free number 1800-180-1551 or the short code 1551 from a mobile phone or landline.
2. Explain your question: Tell the advisor about the farming issue you are facing, such as crop cultivation, seeds, fertilisers, pests, diseases, weather or market information.
3. Receive agricultural advice: A Farm Tele Advisor (FTA), trained in agriculture or an allied subject, listens to your query and provides relevant guidance in the available language.
4. Get expert assistance if required: If the advisor cannot resolve the question, it can be referred to subject specialists from State Agriculture Departments, ICAR institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) or State Agricultural Universities (SAUs).
5. Follow the guidance: Use the information provided to understand the issue and decide on the appropriate next steps for your farming activity.

The helpline operates from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week. For more information, visit the official Kisan Call Centre website.

What Happens If the Helpline Number Is Busy?

During busy periods, farmers may have to wait before speaking to a Farm Tele Advisor. The Kisan Call Centre has call-holding and voice-message facilities to help manage such situations.

• Wait in the call queue: If all advisors are occupied, an interactive voice response system (IVRS) may announce your queue number and the approximate waiting time. Seasonal agricultural advisories may also play while you wait.
• Leave a voice message: If you do not want to wait, you may be prompted to record a voice message of up to two minutes containing your farming question and phone number.
• Receive a response: Farmers who leave voice messages may receive a recorded response. Those who request a callback may be contacted by a supervisor or Farm Tele Advisor during periods when call volumes are lower.
• Try calling again: If you cannot connect or leave a message, you can try calling the helpline again later.

These facilities are described in the Government of India's official Kisan Call Centre update dated 9 December 2025. A response or callback is not guaranteed immediately, as it depends on the available facility and call volume.

Relevant Links

• Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India
• Kisan Call Centre Official Portal
• Kisan Call Centre Contact Page
• Kisan Call Centre Operational Mechanism
• Latest Detailed Government Update on Kisan Call Centres (9 December 2025)
• mKisan SMS Advisory Registration Information

Contact Information

Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India

• Phone: 1800-180-1551 (Kisan Call Centre toll-free helpline) / 1551
• Email: No dedicated Kisan Call Centre email address was verified on the official contact page.
• Address: No specific postal address for the Kisan Call Centre helpline was listed on its official contact page.
• Official Contact Page: Kisan Call Centre Contact Us
• MANAGE Contact (institutional information): 040-24594509; [email protected]
• MANAGE Address: National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad – 500 030, Telangana.