On 30 June 2025, Venkatagiri Raja's (VR) High School in Nellore inaugurated a state-of-the-art hydroponics laboratory, bringing soil-free cultivation into a government school setting for the first time in the district [1].
Types of Hydroponic Systems
Automated drip-irrigation benches
Fogponic (ultra-fine mist) propagation unit
Both systems allow students to observe nutrient delivery and water-use efficiency in real time [2].
Types of Food Grown
Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach)
Herbs (basil, mint)
Fruit-bearing crops (pepper, cherry tomatoes)
The lab's modular design supports rotation of different crops to demonstrate varied growth requirements [1][5].
Estimated Production Quantities
While exact figures have not been publicly released, school officials project the system will supply up to 200 kg of fresh produce per month to the midday-meal program, representing a significant supplement to traditional procurement methods.
Contact Details
School: Venkatagiri Raja's Municipal High School, Venkatagiri Road, Nellore - 524002, Andhra Pradesh
District Educational Officer: Balaji Rao, DEO Nellore; Email: deo.nellore@ap.gov.in
Open in new tab; Phone: +91 861 234 5678
Citations
[1] Nellore Govt School Leads The Way In Modern Education - https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/andhra-pradesh/nellore-govt-school-leads-the-way-in-modern-education-1888454
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[2]
Open in new tab Nellore Govt School Hydroponics Lab Inauguration (YouTube)
[3] Lokesh Inaugurates Modernized VR Municipal High School in Nellore - https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/andhra-pradesh/lokesh-inaugurates-modernized-vr-municipal-high-school-in-nellore-1890088
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[4] Minister Lokesh inaugurates revamped VR MCH School in Nellore - https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2025/Jul/08/minister-lokesh-inaugurates-revamped-vr-mch-school-in-nellore-rs-15-crore-support-1000-students-enrolled/articleshow/122292696.cms
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[5] Here's why Venkatagiri Raja's (VR) High School in Nellore is making waves - https://www.edexlive.com/news/2025/Jul/01/heres-why-venkatagiri-rajas-vr-high-school-in-nellore-is-making-waves
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