High Tech Solutions for supply chain and distribution
THE QUESTION
Can Artificial Intelligence strengthen the supply chain of the Public Distribution System in India to address food insecurity?
LOCATION: India
SECTOR: Supply Chain
TECH: AI
TIMELINE: May 2020 - Closed
PIONEER: Mamta Kohli
PARTNER: AsterQuanta
The Challenge
The Public Distribution System (PDS) in India is a welfare programme through which the government distributes subsidised goods to the most vulnerable in society. Between 750-800 million individuals are beneficiaries of PDS and receive goods such as wheat, rice and kerosene as a food security net.
The Idea
This pilot uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the goods supply chain with the intent of increasing the efficiency of the PDS in the Chikkaballapur district in Karnataka, India. AI technology will facilitate the contactless recognition of the beneficiary. If successful, the pilot will reduce waiting hours to collect goods, reduce leakage, increase good quality goods and transparency.
All photos on this page were taken by the pilot’s implementing partner, AsterQuanta. Read more
Explore the pilot’s story
Learn about India’s public distribution system (PDS) — “Assumptions Validation and Government Permissions Process for AI and Blockchain based Digital Platform for Offering Public Distribution System Services through General Trade Outlets in India”
Read the results of the pilot survey and pre-deployment developments — “PDS Survey for AI and Blockchain based Digital Platform for Offering Public Distribution System [PDS] Services through General Trade Outlets in India”
Read the key learnings from the pilot’s first tests — “Digital Platform for Offering Public Distribution System Services through General Trade Outlets and Direct-to-Home delivery in India”
Learn how AI & blockchain can reduce aid “leakage” and improve last mile health efforts — “Study of Blockchain based Digital Platform for Offering Public Distribution System Services through General Trade Outlets and Direct-to-Home delivery in India”