A Nutritional Intervention to Malnutrition in Karnataka

The inclusion of eggs in the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) programme has emerged as a highly effective nutritional intervention, contributing significantly to the health and well-being of students. Regular consumption of eggs provides essential vitamins, proteins, and nutrients, which are crucial in combating malnutrition and promoting overall growth and development in children.

The initiative has not only benefited students by improving their nutritional intake but has also garnered strong support from parents, who have recognized its role in fostering better health outcomes. As a result, there has been a noticeable increase in egg consumption, with several schools that previously did not offer eggs now incorporating them into their mid-day meal menu for students who consume non-vegetarian food.

Project Implementation

With the support of the Azim Premji Foundation, the programme has been successfully implementing in four districts of Karnataka – Chikmangaluru, Kodogu, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi working with 753 schools from September 2024 to April 2025. The program will continue for the next couple of years. This collaboration has played a pivotal role in scaling the initiative, ensuring that more children receive the nutritional benefits necessary for their physical and cognitive development.

This intervention stands as a model for addressing child malnutrition through school-based nutrition programmes and reflects the potential of public-private partnerships in improving educational and health outcomes in rural and underserved communities.