Northeast India’s first automated grain dispensing machine ‘Annapurti’ launched in Shillong

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 26, 2023

In a first of its kind in the whole Northeastern region of India, the Department of Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs in partnership with the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) on Friday launched an automated grain dispensing machine, ‘Annapurti’ here at a Fair Price shop in RR Colony, Rynjah, Shillong. The system will ensure timely distribution of food grains as per beneficiaries’ entitlement and enabling the public distribution system to perform better.

The programme was graced by Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister, Comingone Ymbon, United Nations’ World Food Programme Country Director, Elisabeth Faure, officials from the Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department among others.

Lauding the efforts of the Department and the WFP, Comingone Ymbon called upon all the stakeholders to rise to the occasion in tackling food security challenges by embracing change for the welfare of the State. He opined on the need for technological interventions in the Public Distribution System (PDS) so that the overall delivery mechanism is continuously improved for maximum efficiency and optimum transparency.

The ATM grain machine aims to ensure exact weighment and dispensation of food grains to NFSA beneficiaries in the State, especially to the inter-state and intra-state migrant beneficiaries at their convenient time of the day. The machine has a capacity of 200 to 500 kgs, is fully automated, can be operated through an e-POS device, has a 99.99% accuracy and 40% reduction in wait-time. The Annapurti machine has significant potential for food-based safety nets, ensuring that the beneficiaries receive their monthly subsidized grains promptly. The machine’s precision and reliability prevent losses and ensure individuals receive their entitled portions. During emergencies, such as natural disasters or humanitarian crises, it can facilitate efficient and timely distribution of food grains to the affected population. The automated system streamlines the process, reducing dependency on manual labour and minimizing errors. Annapurti is designed to prioritize food security while ensuring efficient energy consumption. With a consumption rate of only 0.6 Watt per hour, it offers an environmentally friendly solution.

The machine with its modular design allows for flexibility and scalability based on available space. The storage unit and components can be easily assembled and customized to suit different requirements. Annapurti can be integrated with solar panels, inverter batteries and elevators for automatic refilling. This integration enhances sustainability of the system by reducing dependency on conventional energy sources. At the 2022 WFP Innovation Awards, Annapurti was recognized as one of the World Food Programme’s top 5 innovative solutions. For a small State like Meghalaya, this initiative and the overall services provided by the Department is a history in making Meghalaya into one of the proactive small States in the country leading from the front in ensuring food security.