Amaravati: In a major step towards improving student nutrition and enhancing farmer dignity, the Andhra Pradesh government will introduce premium sanna biyyam (fine rice) in the Midday Meal Scheme starting June 12. The initiative will cover 41,000 government schools and 4,000 welfare hostels across the state.

Announcing the decision at the swearing-in ceremony of the Kodali Agricultural Market Yard Committee in Ghantasala, Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar said the state would distribute 3.5 lakh metric tonnes of fine rice, directly sourced from local farmers. “We are ensuring that the rice is handed over to schools and hostels by the very farmers who cultivated it—this is our way of honoring the annadatas,” he said.

Calling the initiative a celebration of farmer pride, Manohar criticized the previous YSRCP government for mistreating the agricultural community. “We witnessed farmers shedding tears on the roads as unseasonal rains destroyed their paddy. When Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan visited these areas and demanded compensation, YSRCP leaders turned a blind eye,” he said.