The Government of Telangana is exploring plans to procure milk from Karnataka to support its proposed school nutrition programme, as current local production may not be sufficient to meet the initiative’s requirements.
The programme, scheduled to begin in the 2026–27 academic year, aims to provide 150 ml of milk three times a week to students from Classes I to XII studying in government and residential schools across the state.
Strengthening School Nutrition
The initiative forms part of the state’s broader effort to enhance the nutritional value of meals served under the school feeding scheme. Authorities have also proposed introducing fish curry in the mid-day meal menu, replacing the weekly chicken serving to provide a consistent source of protein.
According to Vakiti Srihari, Telangana’s Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development, the state currently produces approximately 12.5 lakh litres of milk daily, which may fall short once the school milk distribution programme is fully implemented.
As a result, the government is evaluating options to procure additional milk supplies from neighbouring Karnataka to ensure uninterrupted availability for the scheme.
Distribution Through Vijaya Dairy
Officials indicated that milk will be sourced and distributed through Vijaya Dairy, with supplies packaged in tetra packs to facilitate easier storage, transportation and distribution across schools.
The government is also considering the addition of nutritional supplements to the milk as part of efforts to improve the dietary intake of schoolchildren.
The proposed milk distribution programme will complement the state’s existing ragi malt initiative, which already provides a nutritious breakfast component to students.
Pilot Programme Underway
A pilot project to supply milk to children at Anganwadi centres is currently being implemented in Mulugu district to assess logistics and operational feasibility before statewide expansion.
State officials believe the initiative could help improve child nutrition, health outcomes and school attendance, particularly among students in rural and economically disadvantaged communities.
Expanding Protein Access in School Meals
Authorities also noted that Telangana currently has adequate fish production, owing to extensive fish seed distribution programmes across reservoirs and water bodies in recent years. As a result, the state does not anticipate the need to procure fish from other regions for the proposed meal changes.
The initiative was discussed during review meetings held in districts such as Khammam district and Kothagudem district, where officials reviewed plans to strengthen the school nutrition ecosystem.
