This policy brief presents the results of a TCI-supported study that assessed the impact of digital agricultural extension services in India. Researchers analyzed more than 17 million queries to India’s Kisan Call Centers, along with data on weather, crop yields, and the characteristics of farm households in the study area, to assess the impact of calls related to weather and pests on paddy yields. The researchers found that a 1% increase in queries related to weather was associated with a 0.3% increase in average paddy yields, which can translate into substantial increases in production and income when scaled across large plots of farmland. The link between weather queries and yield suggests that weather forecasts can enhance farmers’ preparedness and decision-making. With regard to pest-related queries, the researchers found that a 1% increase in calls was tied to a 1.1% decrease in paddy yields, likely because such calls were made only after pests had begun to damage crops.

Based on these results, TCI recommends that policymakers: 

• Implement targeted enhancements to the Kisan Call Center system, such as artificial-intelligence-based triage of queries, region-specific pest alerts, and localized weather forecasting tailored to the timing and nature of farmers’ needs.

Download the policy brief