Odisha Minister Reviews Annapurti Grain ATM, Eyes Expansion
Odisha food minister met WFP officials to review Jharsuguda's Annapurti Grain ATM success and plan its expansion to other districts.
Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra met World Food Programme India Representative Elisabeth Faure and official Nozomi Hashimoto in Bhubaneswar on August 21, 2026 to review the successful rollout of the Annapurti Grain ATM in Jharsuguda and discuss expanding the automated foodgrain distribution system to other districts of the state. The meeting, held at the minister's residential office, aimed to thank WFP for its partnership and to plan next steps for scaling the biometric-enabled grain dispensing initiative across Odisha's Public Distribution System.
What is the Annapurti Grain ATM?
The Annapurti, also known as the Grain ATM, is an automated grain-dispensing system developed by the World Food Programme in collaboration with the Government of India’s Department of Food and Public Distribution. It allows beneficiaries of the Public Distribution System to collect their entitled foodgrains using biometric authentication. The machine can dispense up to 50 kilograms of grain in five minutes, according to WFP.
Where has the system been deployed so far?
Odisha became the first state in India to introduce a 24/7 Grain ATM for PDS beneficiaries when the first machine was launched in Bhubaneswar in August 2024. The programme has since been implemented in Jharsuguda, where the minister thanked WFP officials for its successful rollout. The source only mentions Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda as locations where the system has been deployed.
What did the meeting between the minister and WFP officials discuss?
Held at the minister’s residential office in Bhubaneswar on August 21, 2026, the meeting focused on thanking WFP India Representative Elisabeth Faure and official Nozomi Hashimoto for the partnership. The minister also discussed, according to the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department, the implementation of the Annapurti programme in other districts of Odisha.
What are the plans for expanding the Grain ATM to other districts?
The latest meeting centred on taking the Annapurti initiative beyond Jharsuguda to additional districts across the state. Officials said the discussion reflects ongoing cooperation between the Odisha government and WFP on food security and the use of technology in the Public Distribution System.
How does the Annapurti machine work?
Beneficiaries use the automated kiosk to collect their entitled foodgrains using biometric authentication. The system is designed to operate round the clock. Its capacity to dispense up to 50 kg of grain within five minutes.
Why does the Annapurti initiative matter for Odisha's food security?
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Who attended the meeting between the Odisha government and WFP?
Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra met World Food Programme India Representative Elisabeth Faure and official Nozomi Hashimoto.
What was the purpose of the meeting held in Bhubaneswar on August 21, 2026?
To thank WFP for the successful implementation of the Annapurti Grain ATM in Jharsuguda and discuss expanding the programme to other districts of Odisha.
What is the Annapurti Grain ATM and how does it work?
It is an automated grain-dispensing system developed by WFP with India’s Department of Food and Public Distribution that dispenses up to 50 kg of grain in five minutes after biometric authentication.
Where has the Annapurti Grain ATM been deployed in Odisha so far?
The first machine was launched in Bhubaneswar in August 2024, and the programme has been implemented in Jharsuguda, with discussions underway to extend it to other districts.
What did the Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department say about the meeting?
According to the department, the minister discussed the implementation of the Annapurti programme in other districts of Odisha during the meeting.
Why is the Annapurti initiative considered important for Odisha's food security?
It marks Odisha as the first state in India to introduce a 24/7 Grain ATM for PDS beneficiaries, aiming to improve access and leverage technology in the Public Distribution System.
What capacity does the Annapurti machine have for grain dispensing?
The machine can dispense up to 50 kilograms of grain in five minutes, as stated by WFP.
Is there any timeline announced for expanding the Annapurti to additional districts?
The source does not provide a specific timeline or number of districts for the expansion.
Rakesh Pradhan
District Correspondent, Jharsuguda
Rakesh Pradhan reports on Jharsuguda's industrial corridor, power and aluminium sector news, and civic administration for the Mirror.
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