Telangana's Plan to Source Milk from Karnataka for School Nutrition Program

The Government of Telangana is actively planning to source milk from neighbouring Karnataka to support its school nutrition programme, which is set to commence in the 2026–27 academic year. This programme is designed to provide 150 ml of milk three times a week to students from Classes I to XII in government and residential schools across the state. Currently, Telangana produces approximately 12.5 lakh litres of milk daily, which may not be sufficient to meet the demands of this initiative once fully implemented.

To ensure a steady supply, the government is exploring options to procure additional milk from Karnataka. The distribution will be managed by Vijaya Dairy, with milk packaged in tetra packs for ease of storage and transportation. Additionally, nutritional supplements may be added to the milk to enhance the dietary intake of schoolchildren.

A pilot project is already underway in Mulugu district, assessing the logistics and feasibility of the programme before a full-scale rollout. The initiative is part of the state's broader effort to improve the nutritional value of school meals. Authorities have also proposed replacing chicken with fish curry in the mid-day meal menu, leveraging the state's sufficient fish production capabilities.

The initiative is expected to complement the existing ragi malt programme, which provides a nutritious breakfast to students. Discussions around the programme have been held in various districts, including Khammam and Kothagudem, as part of efforts to strengthen the school nutrition ecosystem.