AP government takes another key step for student nutrition

The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to extend the Ragi Java distribution programme under the mid day meal scheme for another three years. An MoU was signed between the Education Department and the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Trust in the presence of Minister Nara Lokesh to continue the initiative from 2026 to 2029.

The programme provides nutritious Ragi Java to students from Class 1 to Intermediate as part of the Dokka Seethamma mid day meal scheme. Prepared with ragi flour and jaggery, it is rich in calcium and iron. The initiative, supported by the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, aims to improve student health, attendance, and enrollment while reducing dropouts, with an estimated expenditure of ₹80 crore over three years.