Andhra Pradesh introduces millet ‘chikki’ in government schools to boost student nutrition
Replacing the conventional peanut ‘chikki’ served in the government schools under the Dokka Seethamma Mid-Day Meal Scheme, the Andhra Pradesh government has introduced the peanut
Replacing the conventional peanut ‘chikki’ served in the government schools under the Dokka Seethamma Mid-Day Meal Scheme, the Andhra Pradesh government has introduced the peanut millet jaggery ‘chikki’, a more nutritious millet-based alternative. The initiative aims to improve children’s nutrition, promote healthy growth, strengthen immunity and enhance classroom concentration. The new ‘chikki’ combines peanuts, blended millets (ragi, jowar and bajra) and jaggery syrup, making it richer in dietary fibre and calcium, while retaining the protein and energy benefits of peanuts.
The existing distribution schedule has been retained and students will be served the millet ‘chikki’ three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. To facilitate timely distribution, the State has been divided into six supply packages covering all districts. Director of the Dokka Seethamma Mid-Day Meal Scheme B. Srinivasa Rao said it was an important initiative in school nutrition. “The introduction of peanut millet jaggery chikki under the scheme marks a significant step in school nutrition, as millet-enriched version naturally improves children’s intake of calcium, iron, protein and dietary fibre,” he told The Hindu on Sunday.
Rao said to ensure transparency and quality, the supply had been mandated only through reputed branded manufacturers and multi-layer protective packaging introduced, and barcode-based monitoring on every individual packet and transport cartons was being implemented. Rao
said by integrating traditional millets with a popular school snack and backing it with quality standards, the State had taken a significant step towards strengthening school nutrition and setting a benchmark for similar programmes across the country.
The BriefWire