WFP India’s GrainATM or Annapurti automated grain dispensing solution bags global innovation award at Munich

New Delhi: GrainATM, Annapurti, is an automated multi-commodity dispensing solution that provides fast, clean, and precise access to commodities (rice, wheat, grains) to beneficiaries, post biometric authentication.

GrainATM ensures 24×7 access to full entitlements for people entitled to monthly subsidized grains through India’s Public Distribution System – the world’s largest food-based safety net covering over 800 million people.

“An adaptable, modular, and robust solution, ‘Annapurti’ has potential use for food-based safety nets, food grain distribution during emergencies, and increasing market access for smallholder farmers,” said Ankit Sood WFP India Head Supply Chain and PDS Unit.

The development of the GrainATM or Annapurti solution was made possible by work done by the India CO, the Government of India, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the Department of Food and Public Distribution, and WFP Innovation Accelerator.

The Award was conferred last night in Germany at Munich by WFP Innovation Accelerator. The Awards, recognizing the World Food Programme’s top five innovative solutions for disrupting hunger, honor outstanding innovations from 120 + countries in which WFP works.

The machines are currently undergoing testing at two locations in Haryana and Odisha in Fair Price Shops that distribute rations to the beneficiaries of National Food Security Act (2013) entitlements.

* Annapurna is derived from Sanskrit, meaning the giver of food and nourishment. Anna (अन्न) means “food” or “grains” and pūrṇa (पूर्ण) means “full, complete, and perfect.”