A biometric vending machine to distribute grains directly to rations recipients has won an award from the WFP Innovation Accelerator as one of the top innovations for helping prevent hunger, India Education Diary reports.
Beneficiaries can use their ration card to claim eligibility using a built-in touchscreen, according to News18.com, and authenticate their identity with biometrics. The GrainATM can reportedly issue 70kg of grains in as little as five minutes with negligible error in measurement.
It has potential use for food-based safety nets, food grain distribution during emergencies, and increasing market access for smallholder farmers.
Ankit Sood, WFP India Head Supply Chain and PDS Unit
