Assam strengthens PM POSHAN focussing on child health
Guwahati, Aug 11
The Assam government is expanding its school nutrition programme with a sharper focus on dietary diversity and child health, covering nearly 28.97 lakh children under the PM POSHAN scheme during 2026-27, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday.
According to Chief Minister Sarma, the initiative seeks to ensure that children do not have to choose between education and adequate nutrition, while strengthening the nutritional support available to students attending government and government-aided schools across the state.
As part of the enhanced nutrition strategy, the state government has introduced a range of additional measures, including Nutrition Gardens in schools, ragi-based health drinks and additional eggs in weekly meals.
According to the latest figures, as many as 43,670 schools across the state have established Nutrition Gardens.
The gardens are aimed at promoting the availability and consumption of locally grown nutritious food while also creating awareness among students about healthy diets and sustainable food practices.
The state has also expanded the distribution of ragi-based health drinks, with around 11.75 lakh children currently benefiting from the initiative.
Ragi, known for its nutritional value and rich mineral content, is being incorporated into the school nutrition programme as part of efforts to improve dietary diversity among children.
Another major component of the expanded programme is the provision of two additional eggs every week to eligible children.
Around 4.75 lakh children are receiving the additional eggs under the initiative.
Chief Minister Sarma said that the measures are intended to supplement the existing PM POSHAN programme and address nutritional requirements through locally relevant and protein-rich food options.
The Assam government has been emphasising the need to link school education with child health and nutrition, particularly for children from economically vulnerable families.
Officials added that strengthening nutrition support can contribute to improved school attendance, concentration and overall learning outcomes while helping address nutritional deficiencies among children.
The expanded approach also places emphasis on community participation through school-based Nutrition Gardens, enabling students and local communities to engage more closely with food production and healthy eating practices.
With 28.97 lakh children covered under PM POSHAN in 2026-27, the state is seeking to further strengthen the programme by combining regular school meals with targeted nutritional interventions.
The initiatives underline Assam's focus on ensuring that nutritional support remains an integral part of the school education system.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The extra eggs and ragi drinks are good but I wish they would also focus on quality of the mid-day meals. My niece studies in a govt school in Nagaon and sometimes the food quality is questionable. Quantity is fine but quality matters. Still, better than nothing I suppose.
As a mother of two school-going kids, this gives me so much relief. Not everyone can afford nutritious food daily, and knowing the government is adding ragi and eggs to school meals means our children are getting proper nutrition even at school. Thank you, CM Sarma ji. 🙏
This is the kind of investment that pays off in the long run. Well-nourished kids become better learners, and better learners become productive citizens. The Nutrition Gardens are a particularly smart move - they're not just feeding children but also educating them about where food comes from. Assam is thinking ahead!
The community participation aspect is what makes this special. When parents and villagers get involved in the Nutrition Gardens, they take ownership of the programme. This isn't just about free food - it's about building a culture of health in rural communities.
Good to see the state government thinking beyond just calories. Adding ragi is a smart move - it's indigenous, nutritious, and locally available. ₹ spent on child health is the best investment a state can make. Hope other northeastern states follow this model.
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