"This is a significant initiative in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to achieve nutritional security in the state, which is focused on food security. The ATMs will be set up across the state to provide food grains to beneficiaries with 24/7 access under the National Food Security Act," the minister said at the launch.
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.
"Odisha presents a success story with global relevance. We are humbled to see the Annapurti, a made-in-India globally awarded solution operational in many states, evolving to add more functionalities and features based on a year-long pilot and testing," said the Deputy Country Director for WFP in India.
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.
