Context: Odisha's Minister for Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, inaugurated the Annapurti Grain ATM at Mancheswar in Bhubaneswar.

• This event marks a significant milestone in the state's efforts to enhance food distribution efficiency.

Statewide Expansion of Grain ATMs

• During the launch, plans were announced to introduce Annapurti Grain ATMs across all districts in Odisha.

• This initiative would simplify the process for beneficiaries to access their entitled food grains, ensuring that delays by dealers in the Public Distribution System (PDS) would no longer be an issue.

Simplified Process for Beneficiaries

• Beneficiaries can now obtain their food grains by simply inputting their Aadhar or Ration card number and undergoing biometric authentication.

• This user-friendly system ensures that beneficiaries can access their full ration of food grains without any complications.

Partnership with the World Food Programme

• This initiative, launched in collaboration with the World Food Programme, aims to achieve nutritional security in Odisha.

• The grain ATM will dispense rice or wheat 24/7, providing a reliable and consistent source of food for the state's residents.

What is Annapurti?

• Annapurti, also known as the Grain ATM, offers a fast, clean, and precise method of providing subsidized grains to beneficiaries through the Public Distribution System.

• Developed by WFP India, it is an automated multi-commodity dispensing solution that ensures efficient access to commodities like rice, wheat, and grains.

• Beneficiaries can securely access their entitlements through Annapurti following biometric authentication.

Key Features

• Annapurti offers 24×7 access to full entitlements, eliminating spillage, waste, and inaccurate weighing.

• The machine can dispense one or two grain commodities, up to 50 kilograms, within five minutes, with a minimal error rate of 0.01 percent.

Advantages and Potential Applications

• Ensuring Food Security:

• Annapurti has significant potential for food-based safety nets, ensuring beneficiaries receive their monthly subsidized grains promptly.

• The machine’s precision and reliability prevent losses and ensure individuals receive their entitled portions.

• Emergency Food Grain Distribution:

• During emergencies, such as natural disasters or humanitarian crises, Annapurti can facilitate efficient and timely distribution of food grains to affected populations.

• Its automated system streamlines the process, reducing dependency on manual labor and minimizing errors.

• Market Access for Smallholder Farmers:

• Annapurti can play a crucial role in expanding market access for smallholder farmers.

• By offering a reliable and efficient distribution channel, farmers can sell their produce directly to Annapurti, ensuring fair prices and reducing intermediaries.

Sustainable and Modular Design

• Energy Efficiency:

• Annapurti is designed to prioritize food security while ensuring efficient energy consumption.

• With a consumption rate of only 0.6 Watt per hour, it offers an environmentally friendly solution.

• Modular Design:

• Annapurti’s modular design allows for flexibility and scalability based on available space.

• The storage unit and components can be easily assembled and customized to suit different requirements.

• Integration with Renewable Energy:

• Annapurti can be integrated with solar panels, inverter batteries, and elevators for automatic refilling.

• This integration enhances the sustainability of the system by reducing dependency on conventional energy sources.