Andhra Pradesh extends Ragi Java nutrition programme till 2029

The Andhra Pradesh government and Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust have extended the Ragi Java nutrition programme for government school students until 2029. Benefiting over 30 lakh children, the initiative supports health, attendance, and overall learning outcomes.

Vijayawada: The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and the Andhra Pradesh government on Monday signed an agreement to extend the Ragi Java nutrition programme for government school children until April 2029.

During a meeting in Vijayawada, IT Minister Nara Lokesh and RJ Rathnakar, Managing Trustee of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reaffirming their commitment to student welfare.

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“The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and the Andhra Pradesh government have signed an MoU to continue the Ragi Java nutrition programme for government school children until April 2029,” said a press release.

Rooted in the teachings of Sathya Sai Baba, the programme has reached over 30 lakh students in nearly 44,000 government schools across Andhra Pradesh over the past three years.

The Ragi Java programme has significantly contributed to improving the health and well-being of students in government schools, said Lokesh, thanking the Trust for continuing the initiative.

The trust has been supplying ragi flour and jaggery free of cost, enabling the daily preparation of the nutritious drink under school nutrition initiatives across all districts of the southern state.

Ragi is recognised as one of the most nutrient-rich millets and, when combined with jaggery, forms an energy-rich and sustaining health drink for growing children.

The initiative reflects the principle that physical well-being is essential for effective learning, aligning nutrition support with improved educational outcomes among students.

Field observations indicate visible improvements in children’s vitality, attentiveness, and classroom participation, beyond gains recorded in attendance levels.

The extension of the programme till 2029 reflects a continued focus on child nutrition and holistic education, complementing government efforts to ensure that no child is deprived of essential nourishment.

The initiative aims to further strengthen student well-being, enabling children to grow into healthy and capable citizens, officials added.