The Ministry of Finance said on Aug 11 that the central government has earmarked 16.2 billion yuan ($2.6 billion) - an increase of 500 million yuan, or 3.2 percent, compared to 2013 - to support a national program to help improve the nutrition of students in compulsory education in rural areas.

A total of 13 billion yuan will aim to assist impoverished areas that have joined the national program, and 3.2 billion is expected to be handed to provinces that have their own programs to help improve the nutrition of students in underdeveloped areas.

The central government has set aside 46.23 billion yuan to support the program from 2011 to 2014, and 699 impoverished counties in 22 provinces are taking part.

Another 614 counties in 22 provinces have joined local programs, and a total of more than 32 million students in compulsory education in rural areas around the country have enjoyed policies to improve their diets and health.