White Revolution & White Revolution 2.0, Transforming India’s Dairy Sector

The White Revolution in India, also known as Operation Flood, was one of the world’s largest dairy development programs aimed at transforming India from a milk-deficient nation to the world’s largest milk producer. It was initiated in 1970 under the leadership of Dr. Verghese Kurien, who is also called the “Father of the White Revolution.” This program revolutionized the dairy industry by improving infrastructure, creating dairy cooperatives, and enhancing milk production.

White Revolution 2.0

The Government of India launched White Revolution 2.0 with a renewed focus on addressing challenges in the dairy sector, particularly through the empowerment of women, enhancement of local milk production, and boosting dairy exports. This initiative, launched by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, seeks to transform the dairy sector over the next five years.

Key Features of White Revolution 2.0

1. Formation of New Cooperatives:
   • Two lakh new cooperatives will be formed, focusing on multipurpose primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS), dairy, and fishery cooperatives.
2. Four Pillars of Focus:
   • Empowering Women Farmers: Promoting women’s active participation in the dairy sector.
   • Local Milk Production Enhancement: Increasing local milk production to meet growing demand.
   • Dairy Infrastructure Strengthening: Expanding milk routes, processing units, and cold chain facilities.
   • Boosting Dairy Exports: Leveraging India’s milk production strength to enhance exports globally.
3. Milk Procurement Target:
   • The goal is to increase dairy cooperative societies’ milk procurement by 50% over the next five years.
   • Dairy cooperatives aim to procure 1,000 lakh litres of milk daily by the end of this period.
4. Infrastructure Expansion:
   • Strengthening **100,000

White Revolution (Operation Flood)

Key Features

1. Cooperative Model:
   • Introduced the cooperative model in dairy farming, encouraging farmers to form cooperative societies. This empowered rural milk producers by eliminating middlemen and ensuring fair prices for their produce.
2. Success of Amul:
   • One of the most notable outcomes of the White Revolution was the creation of Amul, a brand under the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF). Amul’s success helped pave the way for cooperative-based dairy development across India.
3. Increased Milk Production:
   • The revolution dramatically increased milk production. India, once a milk-deficient country, became the largest producer of milk, contributing 24% to global milk production in 2021-22.
4. Infrastructure Development:
   • Milk processing plants, cold storage, and transportation networks were developed, supporting the efficient distribution of dairy products across the country.
5. Economic Impact:
   • The revolution enhanced rural incomes and contributed to overall rural development by directly supporting more than 8 crore farmers, with significant involvement of women, empowering them economically.
6. National Expansion:
   • The success of Operation Flood in Gujarat led to its replication in various states, ensuring widespread benefits across the country.

Achievements of the White Revolution

Challenges of White Revolution

1. Low Productivity Per Animal:
   • Although India became the largest milk producer, the productivity per animal was low compared to the global average.
2. Infrastructure Issues:
   • Lack of cold chain infrastructure in rural areas resulted in milk spoilage, especially in regions with power supply problems.
3. Quality Standards:
   • Ensuring adherence to both domestic and international quality standards required further investment in technology and infrastructure.

Comparison of White Revolution & White Revolution 2.0

Dairy Sector in India Today

• Largest Milk Producer Globally: India contributes 24% to global milk production.
• Top Milk Producing States: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh contribute 53.11% to the total milk production.
• Diversified Products: The sector now produces a variety of value-added products such as butter, ghee, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream.

Challenges of Dairy Sector in India

1. Low Animal Productivity:
   • Despite high overall production, the per-animal productivity is still lower than global standards.
2. Fodder Scarcity:
   • There is a lack of regulation on fodder quality, leading to substandard feeds affecting livestock health.
3. Infrastructure Gaps:
   • Inadequate cold chain and milk processing infrastructure results in high wastage and spoilage, especially in remote areas.
4. Technological Barriers:
   • Lack of awareness and training among farmers on advanced dairy practices such as artificial insemination and disease management.

Government Initiatives for Dairy Sector Promotion

1. Rashtriya Gokul Mission:
   • Launched to conserve and develop indigenous cattle breeds and enhance their productivity.
2. National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD):
   • Focuses on building infrastructure for high-quality milk production, processing, and marketing.
3. Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS):
   • Provides financial assistance to individuals setting up small- and medium-scale dairy ventures.
4. National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP):
   • Aims to control diseases like Foot & Mouth Disease by vaccinating 100% of cattle and other livestock.

Way Ahead

• Vaccination Drives: Swift and widespread vaccination, especially to combat diseases like Lumpy Skin Disease.
• Improved Supply Chain: Strengthening the value chain to maintain demand and reduce milk spoilage.
• Cost Reduction Strategies: By adopting efficient farming and technology practices, the cost of milk production can be reduced, improving livelihoods and creating a sustainable dairy industry in India.

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