Odisha Launches 24/7 Grain ATM to Enhance Food Security

Bhubaneswar: In a pioneering move towards ensuring round-the-clock access to food grains for public distribution system (PDS) beneficiaries, Odisha launched a standalone grain dispensing solution. The Annapurti Grain ATM, inaugurated today at Mancheswar in Bhubaneswar, marks a significant step in the state’s ongoing efforts to achieve nutritional security.

The innovative Annapurti solution was unveiled by Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of Food Supplies, Consumer Welfare, Science & Technology of the Odisha Government, alongside Nozomi Hashimoto, Deputy Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) in India.

“This is a landmark initiative in our partnership with the World Food Programme, aimed at ensuring food security and providing nutritional support to the people of Odisha. The Annapurti Grain ATMs will be installed across the state, allowing beneficiaries 24/7 access to their entitlements under the National Food Security Act,” stated Minister Patra at the launch event.

The collaboration between WFP and the State of Odisha spans six decades, with Odisha consistently leading in food security initiatives and innovative solutions that empower marginalized communities to access their rightful entitlements.

“Odisha presents a success story with global relevance. The Annapurti solution, a made-in-India, globally awarded innovation, continues to evolve with added functionalities and features based on extensive pilot testing,” said Ms. Hashimoto.

The newly inaugurated Annapurti Grain ATM is the first standalone solution of its kind, offering service 24 hours a day, similar to a banking ATM. It provides universal access, allowing any PDS ration cardholder from across India to access their food grain entitlement, regardless of their state or union territory.

Capable of dispensing up to 50 kilograms of grain in just five minutes, the Annapurti ATM operates with an impressive error rate of just 0.01 percent. After completing biometric authentication, beneficiaries receive consistent access to their full food ration. The modular design of the ATM allows it to be easily assembled in various spaces, and it is energy efficient, consuming only 0.6 watts per hour. Additionally, it can be connected to solar panels for automatic refilling, enabling 24/7 access and reducing waiting times by up to 70 percent.