The Chinese government plans to invest 15 million yuan ($2.4 million) to build 150 community-based homes for "left-behind" children in the center and west of the country.

Zhang Xiaoyuan, a senior official with the All China Women's Federation, said the project will be launched on Children's Day — June 1.

Zhang said each home will cover 60 square meters and provide a space for children who do not live with their parents to play with mentors and their peers.

A recent study by the federation showed there are 61.02 million left-behind children nationwide, accounting for 21.22 percent of all children in China. With a shifting demography as more adults from rural areas leave to work in the city, children are often left in their hometowns without their parents.

Zhang said the project is part of a "care system for left-behind children" the government is seeking to build nationwide.

In addition to the 150 homes, the federation, together with the National Health and Family Planning Commission, plans to channel 300 million yuan to 300 poverty-stricken counties for a "nutrient bag" program.

The program will provide 820,000 children aged from six months to three years with a bag of nutritional supplies each day, in an attempt to eliminate anemia in children.

The nutrition bag program started in 2011 and has already benefited 400,000 children.