A standout innovation is the QR code on each rice bag, revealing farmer details, procurement source, variety, and certification—enabling schools to verify supplies, flag issues, and ensure built-in accountability
Published Jun 29, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 29, 2025 | 10:49 AM
Sanna Biyyam, Big Dreams: Andhra Pradesh’s bold step to transform mid-day meals
Synopsis: As part of India’s push to strengthen child welfare, Andhra Pradesh has introduced fortified sanna biyyam (fine rice) into its mid-day meal scheme for the 2025–26 academic year. Spearheaded by CM N. Chandrababu Naidu and Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar, the initiative spans over 44,000 schools and 4,000 hostels, aiming to boost nutrition, transparency, and support for local farmers
In India’s quest to nurture its next generation, the mid-day meal scheme shines as a cornerstone, weaving nutrition and education to uplift children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Andhra Pradesh, led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has launched a transformative initiative by introducing fine, fortified rice—locally known as sanna biyyam—into this vital program.
Rolled out with the 2025-26 academic year under the stewardship of Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar, this policy aims to elevate meal quality, transparency, and impact across the state. This narrative of ambition, innovation, and hope, tempered by practical challenges, unfolds as Andhra Pradesh sets a new standard for child welfare.
This effort spans over 44,000 government schools and nearly 4,000 hostels, serving more than 3.7 million children. Each grain carries purpose: fortified with iron and micronutrients to combat deficiencies, the rice is sourced directly from local farmers, ensuring freshness and supporting rural livelihoods.
A groundbreaking feature is the QR code on every bag, detailing the farmer, procurement center, rice variety, and certification. This digital innovation empowers schools to verify supplies and report issues, embedding accountability into the program’s core.
Logistics, now managed by the Civil Supplies Department, have shifted from reliance on ration shops to direct school deliveries. This change streamlines distribution and minimises risks of diversion. Early reports highlight efficiency: schools received supplies before reopening, ensuring nutritious meals from day one.
“The government’s decision to provide fine variety rice from the academic year’s start has been executed seamlessly. The QR code system ensures transparency and curbs irregularities,” says Geetanjali Sharma, Joint Collector of Krishna district. This operational overhaul reflects a commitment to precision, laying a robust foundation for success.
At the heart of this story are the children. Across Andhra Pradesh, the fortified rice has transformed mealtimes. Its enhanced taste and texture have sparked enthusiasm, with students savoring meals that are both delicious and nourishing. “The rice tastes so much better now, and I look forward to lunch every day” shares Harika, a sixth-grader from a Guntur school.
Reports indicate increased meal uptake, a key driver of school attendance and retention, especially among girls and marginalized groups. Standardized portions tailored to grade levels ensure equity, making sanna biyyam more than food—it’s a reason to attend school and thrive.
Teachers and school staff share this optimism. “Students are happier with the rice’s quality, and meal times are livelier. The QR codes make tracking supplies straightforward,” notes Venkatesh Rao, a headmaster from a rural school in Kakinada.
Improved palatability eases the task of encouraging participation, while traceability simplifies oversight. However, challenges persist. Some schools lack adequate storage, risking spoilage. Variations in cooking standards across diverse settings also pose hurdles. These issues, though not unique, highlight the need for sustained infrastructure and training support.
Parents add a vital perspective to this narrative. “My daughter comes home talking about how tasty the school meals are. She’s attending regularly, and I feel she’s healthier,” says Lakshmi, a mother from a village in Vizianagaram.
The initiative’s ripple effects extend to communities, where direct procurement from farmers fosters pride and economic resilience. “This program supports our farmers and feeds our children well—it’s a win for everyone,” says Ramesh Yadav, a parent and local farmer in Godavari district.
Women’s self-help groups, tasked with meal preparation, value the rice’s quality, which simplifies their work and enhances its impact. This synergy of nutrition, education, and local empowerment strengthens Andhra Pradesh’s rural fabric.
Student organizations have also weighed in, amplifying the initiative’s reach. “The shift to fine rice is a game-changer. It shows the government cares about our health and education,” says Raju, a leader of a state-wide student union in Vijayawada. Such endorsements underscore the program’s role in building trust among younger generations, encouraging their engagement with public welfare initiatives.
The initiative’s outcomes are promising. Fortified rice addresses persistent health challenges like anemia, which has long affected schoolchildren. Past studies in Andhra Pradesh show fortified rice reducing nutritional deficiencies, offering hope for scaled impact.
Improved meal quality boosts attendance, particularly among vulnerable groups, weaving nutrition into education’s tapestry. Economically, direct procurement supports farmers, aligning agricultural growth with child welfare. “For the first time, students receive delicious, nutritious mid-day meals made from fine quality rice, while honoring the farmers who cultivated it” says Minister Nadendla Manohar, a key architect of the policy.
Yet, challenges test this ambition. Fine, fortified rice is costlier than traditional varieties, raising fiscal sustainability concerns. Chief Minister Naidu’s vision demands balancing quality with budget discipline. Storage limitations in some schools risk spoilage, while inconsistent cooking expertise across regions affects meal quality.
The QR code system, though innovative, requires digital literacy and consistent use among school staff. “We need training to fully utilize the QR system and better storage to maintain rice quality,” notes Anuradha, a teacher in a West Godavari school. Past mid-day meal lapses—quality issues and budget constraints—remind us that vigilance and community engagement are critical to success.
This narrative of sanna biyyam is one of promise and pragmatism, building on the mid-day meal scheme’s legacy with quality, transparency, and inclusivity. Early successes—smooth distribution, enthusiastic stakeholder responses, and tangible benefits—set an optimistic tone. However, long-term impact depends on addressing logistical gaps, ensuring fiscal discipline, and fostering community involvement. Investments in storage, staff training, and robust monitoring are essential to sustain progress.
Andhra Pradesh’s initiative offers a compelling model for India. It shows how policy innovation, rooted in local realities, can transform a flagship program. “This is about nourishing minds and bodies while empowering our farmers” says Chief Minister Naidu, encapsulating the vision. The story is one of children fed, farmers uplifted, and communities united—a tale that, with sustained commitment, could inspire a healthier, more educated nation. For now, under Naidu and Manohar’s leadership, Andhra Pradesh is crafting progress, one grain of fine rice at a time.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
