White Revolution

Introduction
o The White Revolution in India, also known as Operation Flood, began in the 1970s with
the goal of making India self-sufficient in milk production.

o Padma Vibhushan Dr. Verghese Kurien is known as the Father of the White Revolution
in India.

o Today, India is the world's largest milk producer, with 22% of global production,
followed by the United States of America, China, Pakistan and Brazil.
 White Revolution: Historical Background
o The White Revolution was an intensive modernization effort that began in Iran in 1963
and lasted until 1979.

o It is also known as Operation Flood in India, which began in 1970. It was the world's
largest dairy development Programme, spearheaded by India's National Dairy
Development Board (NDDB).

o It changed India from a milk-

deficient country to the world's
greatest producer of milk.

o Dr. Verghese Kurien spearheaded

India's 'White Revolution,' the
world's largest dairy development
initiative, in 1970.
 What is White Revolution?
o The white revolution is related to the dairy sector, also known as operation flood, was
launched in the 1970s to make India self-independent in milk production.
o Dr Verghese Kurien is known as the Father of The White Revolution in India.
Currently, India is the world’s largest milk producer. Operation Flood gave dairy farmers
autonomy over the milk production in the area.
o Over 700 towns and cities in India were linked by the National Milk Grid, bridging the
gap between milk producers and consumers.
o It was a revolutionary initiative by the Indian government which provided various milk
producers and sellers in India to consumers. The white revolution was very beneficial
and ended the import of milk solids and thereby improved dairy infrastructure.
o National Milk Day is observed every year on 26th November across the country. And
Every year the first day of June is observed as World Milk Day.
o Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has also announced the launch of
the Gopal Ratna Awards at the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) campus in
Anand.
o
 Objectives of White Revolution
The main objectives of the cooperative society are the transportation and storage of milk
at the chilling plants.
o To provide food for the cattle.
o The production of a wide variety of milk products.
o These societies also provide superior breeds of cows and buffaloes, health services,
and veterinary facilities.
o The technology of the White Revolution is based on an extensive system of
cooperative societies.
o After collecting milk from the village centre, it is transported to the dairy plant at the
milk chilling centre.
o Everyday milk is collected at a particular time it is maintained by the village society,
truck operators and the quick transport to the dairy plant.
o These centres are managed by producers' cooperative unions to facilitate the
collection of milk from producers who live at some distance from the chilling centres,
hence, the middlemen are eliminated.
o
 Different Phases of White Revolution in India
The white revolution is divided into three phases, they are:

Phase I
o This phase was started in 1970 and continued up to 1981.
o Under this phase, different dairy development programmes were set up in ten different
states to increase the consumption and production of milk in different cosmopolitan
cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Chennai.

Phase II

o This phase started in 1981 and continued up to 1985.

o In this phase, there was an expansion in the development of dairy programmes in
different other states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
o Along with that, there was a development of 25 contiguous milk shed areas [in 155
districts], and a cluster of milk producers’ unions was established.
o There was the development of a vaccine called "Raksha" by the Research Institute
at Hyderabad. This vaccine was developed to control cattle diseases.
o During this phase, there was a development of milk marketing processes in 144
more cities in the country.
o Along with that Dairy, Cooperative societies were also set up in more than 35000+
villages.

Phase III

o This phase started in 1985 and continued up to 2000.

o During this phase, the maximum number of cooperative sectors were established in
most of the major states of the country. This increases the number of cooperatives
from 1,35,439 with a membership of 14 million.
 Significance of White Revolution
Some of the significance of the white revolution are listed below:

o Through this revolution dairy farmers direct their own development, placing control
of the resources they create in their own hands.

o With the introduction of the white revolution, India became one of the largest
producers of milk in the year 2016-17.

o Today India is the world's largest milk producer with 22% of global milk production.
 White Revolution in India: Major Achievements
o Like the green revolution increased crop production, in a similar way white revolution
increased milk production in India.
o With the introduction of the white revolution, there was an improvement in cattle
breeding and the adoption of new technology. Because of this revolution, India
occupied the top position in the world's milk production.

Some of the important achievements of the white revolution are listed below:

o The introduction of this revolution in India created energy among people to take
dairying as a subsidiary occupation.

o Because of the White Revolution, milk production was about 17 million tonnes in
1950- 1951 which increased to over 112 million tonnes in 2009-10.

o India has surpassed the United States as the world's largest milk producer. From 17
million tonnes in 1950- 51 to more than 112 million tonnes in 2009-10, milk output
has surged. Milk output has surged more than sixfold since the country's
independence.
o The Livestock Insurance Scheme was approved in February 2006 and was tested in
100 areas across the country in 2006-07. The scheme aimed to protect farmers from
losses caused by unexpected animal deaths.
o Milk availability per capita per day is now 263 grammes, up from 125 grammes before
the revolution.
o Small and marginal farmers, as well as landless labourers, gained the most from the
White Revolution. There are already 1,35,439 village-level dairy cooperative groups
serving 14 million farmers.
o Under the White revolution, the quality of livestock, and extensive cross-breeding have
been enhanced to maintain the production of milk. It also makes sure that animals
remain disease-free.
o The Kaira area milk producers and co-operative union, which owns and runs the Amul
dairy, are responsible for the White Revolution.
o The Amul dairy is a necessary component of the Anand union. Amul began in July 1948
as a milk pasteurization factory to assist the Bombay milk programme in meeting its
milk demand. The daily output did not surpass 500 lbs.
o In 1953, a watershed moment occurred. Amul discovered extra supplies since winter
output was 250% of summer production.

o The name 'Amul' comes from the Sanskrit word 'Amulya,' which signifies priceless or
valuable. This case study on Amul analyses the company's history, business strategy,
revenue, and the important elements that contributed to Amul's success.

o Amul initiated India's White Revolution, which resulted in India being the world's
largest producer of milk and milk products. Tribhuvandas Patel formed Amul under the
supervision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first deputy prime minister.

o The Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd manages Amul as a

cooperative brand (GCMMF). Amul follows a unique strategy in which it provides
'Value for Money' products to its customers while securing the premiums (as a
proprietor) of the milk-producing farmers who supply it.

o Because milk is a perishable item, the rancher may lose money if it isn't sold before
the end of the contract.
 White Revolution in India: Criticism
Few experts say that the white revolution in India has prioritized high-producing breeds,
resulting in the extinction of Indian breeds. They contend that while foreign varieties
produce more, they require more feed and are unsuitable for Indian circumstances.

Some of the most pressing issues of the "white Revolution" are listed below.

o Milk collection from remote places is costly, time-consuming, and economically

unviable.
o The livestock is maintained in unsanitary conditions in the majority of the settlements.
o There are insufficient marketing resources.
o The overall goal of the white revolution is to empower Indian farmers and agriculture in
India.

Despite these critiques, opponents believe that the revolution successfully converted
India into the world's dairy superpower. It was a courageous attempt to give dairy farmers
power over their own fate and to tap into India's vast dairy resources.
 Conclusion
o To solve the developing dairy issue, a cooperative milk movement led by social
entrepreneurs, government leaders, and millions of milk producers was established in
three stages over three decades.

o The concept was straightforward: eliminate the middleman and bridge the gap between
dairy producers and customers. In this manner, the customer paid a reduced price, while
the fruits of work benefited the farmer directly.

o The white revolution proved to be highly beneficial to the country, with several benefits
such as halting milk solids imports in India, modernizing the dairy industry and
infrastructures, satisfying dairy demands, and enhancing the genetics of milking animals
through crossbreeding.