Context: Recently, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has launched a digital transformation initiative to modernize its supply chain management system, known as 'Depot Online System', with the implementation of a new, microservices-based integrated supply chain management system named Anna Darpan. 

About Anna DARPAN

• It is a new system designed to simplify and boost Food Corporation of India (FCI) operations at different levels to enhance productivity and efficiency by creating an interactive and user-friendly interface. 

• Anna Darpan is a digital transformation initiative of the existing supply chain management system by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

• Objective – To replace the existing 'Depot Online System' with a new, micro-services-based integrated supply chain management system.

• The system is being developed to streamline and improve supply chain operations and services at all levels. 

• It covers operations at Mandis, Mills, Depots (both owned and hired), as well as divisional, regional, zonal, and headquarters levels. 

• Scope – Design, development, implementation, and maintenance of the entire system.

Key Features 

• The system will use data analytics to help FCI in making better strategic and operational decisions. The FCI can analyze data trends and patterns for making smarter choices about food distribution and storage.

• Anna DARPAN will connect with both internal and external systems to allows for smoother communication and data sharing, ensuring that everyone involved in the supply chain is on the same page.

• The project will focus on a mobile-first approach. This means that the system will be designed to be used on smartphones and tablets, making it accessible anytime and anywhere. Farmers, suppliers, and employees can check information and manage tasks anytime.

Coforge's Role

• Coforge will handle everything from designing to developing, implementing, and maintaining the Anna DARPAN system. The team at Coforge will use the latest technology to build a cloud-based platform for the system. 

About Food Corporation of India (FCI)

• It was established in 1965, as a statutory body under the Food Corporation Act 1964.

• It works under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. 

• It buys food grains like wheat and rice from farmers at Minimum Support Prices (MSPs), these prices are set by the government every year. FCI stores them in its own warehouses or hired silos. It keeps enough grains to meet monthly demands and to handle emergencies, such as natural disasters.

• It distributes grains to state governments or their agencies at Central Issue Prices (CIPs), which are lower than market prices. This makes it easier for people, especially the poor, to access food grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS) and other welfare programs.