WFP And Government Of Odisha Partner For Food Security And Launch India's First 24/7 'Grain ATM'

ON 08/12/2024 AT 09 : 47 AM

WFP and the Government of Odisha recently launched India’s first around the clock grain dispensing machine, the 'Grain ATM,' also known as 'Annapurti' (Hindi for fulfiller of food), in the state capital Bhubaneshwar.

Odisha has become the first state in India to provide access to the public distribution system beneficiaries 24 hours a day. The machine was inaugurated by Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of Food Supplies, Consumer Welfare, Science and Technology of the Odisha Government, and Nozomi Hashimoto, Deputy Country Director for WFP in India.

The Annapurti provides universal access: anyone with a Public Distribution System ration card valid in India, regardless of the State and Union Territory, can access their entitlement. It can dispense grain up to 50 kilograms in five minutes 24 hours a day, reducing waiting time by 70 percent.

Once biometric authentication is completed, it provides consistent access to the full food ration. The modular design allows easy assembly based on available space. Annapurti is energy efficient, and can be connected to solar panels for automatic refilling.

WFP and the State of Odisha have been partners for six decades. The state has been a pioneer in ensuring food security and fostering innovations that allow citizens, especially marginalised sections, to access their entitlements.