Dr. Verghese Kurien, widely known as the “Milkman of India,” was a pivotal figure in transforming India’s dairy industry. He is often referred to as the “Father of the White Revolution” due to his groundbreaking contributions that made India the largest milk producer in the world.
Early Life and Education Dr. Verghese Kurien
Born on November 26, 1921, in Kozhikode, Kerala, Kurien was a bright student who pursued his education at Loyola College and later earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Guindy College of Engineering in Chennai. His academic journey took him to the United States, where he studied dairy engineering at Michigan State University. Although initially uninterested in dairy farming, his education laid the groundwork for his future contributions to the sector.
Genesis of the White Revolution
The Genesis of the White Revolution in India, also known as Operation Flood, was a transformative initiative that fundamentally changed the country’s dairy industry and rural economy. Launched in 1970 by Dr. Verghese Kurien and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the program aimed to make India self-sufficient in milk production and improve the livelihoods of millions of dairy farmers.
Background Before the White Revolution
Before the onset of the White Revolution, India faced a severe milk shortage despite having one of the largest cattle populations in the world. The dairy sector was characterized by:
- Low Milk Production: Total milk production barely increased from 20.4 million tons in 1961 to 20.8 million tons in 1970, leading to heavy reliance on imports to meet domestic demand.
- Unorganized Dairy Farming: The dairy industry was fragmented and unorganized, with small-scale farmers struggling to market their milk effectively. This often resulted in exploitation by middlemen who controlled pricing and distribution.
- Poor Infrastructure: There was a lack of adequate infrastructure for milk collection, storage, and processing, which hindered quality and efficiency.
Objectives of Operation Flood
The primary goals of Operation Flood included:
- Creating a National Milk Grid: To connect rural milk producers directly with urban consumers, thereby eliminating intermediaries and ensuring fair prices for farmers.
- Empowering Farmers: By organizing small and marginal farmers into cooperatives, the initiative aimed to give them control over their production processes and incomes.
- Increasing Milk Production: To enhance productivity through modern techniques such as cross-breeding, artificial insemination, and veterinary care.
- Developing Infrastructure: To establish chilling plants, transportation systems, and processing facilities necessary for efficient milk distribution.
Phases of Operation Flood
Operation Flood was implemented in three phases:
Phase I (1970–1980) was financed by the sale of skimmed milk powder and butter oil donated by the European Union (then the European Economic Community) through the World Food Program.
Phase II (1981–1985) increased the milk-sheds from 18 to 136; urban markets expanded the outlets for milk to 290. By the end of 1985, a self-sustaining system of 43,000 village cooperatives with 4,250,000 milk producers were covered.
Phase III (1985–1996) enabled dairy cooperatives to expand and strengthen the infrastructure required to procure and market increasing volumes of milk. This phase added 30000 new dairy cooperatives which led to 73000. Dr. Verghese Kurien is called the father of white revolution in India. India produces around 17% milk of the world. About 80% of the milk production in the country is in the organized sector while the remaining 20% is shared equally by the cooperatives and private diaries. In India, over 1.50 lakh village level diary cooperative societies, spread over 265 districts in the country, collects about 26 million litres of milk per day. At the conclusion it can be said that this operation was launched to help farmers to ensure their own development, placing control of the resources they created by their own hands. All this was achieved not merely by mass production, but by production by the masses.
Impact of the White Revolution
The White Revolution had profound effects on India’s dairy sector:
- Increased Milk Production: India transformed from a milk-deficient nation to the world’s largest milk producer, with production soaring from about 20 million tons in 1970.
- In 2023–2024, India produced about 207.1 million metric tons of milk
- Economic Empowerment: Millions of dairy farmers benefited economically as cooperatives provided them with stable incomes and reduced dependency on middlemen.
- Women’s Empowerment: The cooperative model encouraged women’s participation in dairy farming, providing them with economic independence and decision-making power within their households.
- Nutritional Improvement: The increased availability of milk and dairy products contributed to better nutrition for millions, particularly among children.
Contributions
- Operation Flood: Kurien launched this initiative, which became the world’s largest agricultural development program. It aimed to create a nationwide milk grid, linking rural milk producers directly with consumers, thus eliminating middlemen. This program significantly increased milk production and farmer incomes.
- Amul Brand: Under his leadership, the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union (Amul) was established. Amul became a symbol of cooperative success and innovation, providing farmers with a stable income and ensuring quality products for consumers.
- Empowerment of Farmers: Kurien’s cooperative model focused on empowering small and marginal farmers, ensuring they had ownership and control over their livelihoods. This approach not only improved their economic conditions but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration among them.
- Sustainable Practices: He emphasized sustainable practices in dairy farming, ensuring that cooperatives could thrive independently without relying heavily on government support.
- Education and Training: Kurien founded institutions such as the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) to provide training and education for cooperative managers and farmers, promoting professional management within cooperatives.
Also Read: On National Milk Day, bike rally reaches Karnal dairy institute
Challenges Verghese Kurien faced during the White Revolution
1. Resistance from Traditional Dairy Traders:One of the significant challenges was the resistance from existing dairy traders and middlemen who were threatened by the cooperative model that aimed to eliminate their role. These traders often had established networks and influence, making it difficult to persuade farmers to join cooperatives.
2. Building Trust Among Farmers:Convincing farmers to trust the cooperative model was another hurdle. Many farmers were initially skeptical about pooling their resources and sharing profits. Kurien had to invest considerable time and effort in educating farmers about the benefits of cooperation, ensuring they understood how it could lead to better prices and improved livelihoods.
3. Infrastructure Development:The success of Operation Flood relied heavily on developing adequate infrastructure for milk collection, storage, and transportation. In rural India, where many farmers lived, this infrastructure was often lacking. Kurien faced challenges in securing funding and resources to build chilling plants and transportation networks necessary for efficient milk distribution.
4. Regional Disparities:India’s diverse geography posed a challenge in implementing a uniform strategy across different states. Some regions had better access to resources and infrastructure than others, leading to uneven growth in dairy production. Kurien had to tailor strategies to address these regional disparities effectively
.5. Animal Welfare Concerns:As milk production increased, concerns arose regarding animal welfare. Issues such as over-milking and inadequate healthcare for dairy cattle became prominent. Balancing increased production with ethical treatment of animals was a challenge that Kurien had to address within the cooperative framework.
6. Political Interference:The cooperative movement sometimes faced political interference, which could disrupt operations or lead to mismanagement within cooperatives. Ensuring that these organizations remained focused on their objectives without succumbing to external pressures was a constant challenge for Kurien.
7. Market Saturation:As milk production surged, certain regions experienced market saturation, leading to price fluctuations that affected farmers’ incomes. Managing supply and demand effectively became crucial to maintaining stability in the dairy market.
Strategies did Kurien use to ensure the success of the dairy cooperatives
1. Cooperative Model:Kurien championed a cooperative model where dairy farmers collectively owned and managed their operations. This structure empowered farmers by giving them control over milk production, processing, and marketing, ensuring they received fair prices for their products. By eliminating middlemen, the profits were directly funneled back to the farmers, enhancing their socio-economic status.
2. Professional Rural Management:He introduced the concept of Professional Rural Management within cooperatives. This involved applying modern management practices to dairy farming, ensuring that cooperatives operated efficiently and profitably. Kurien emphasized training and capacity building for cooperative managers to enhance operational effectiveness and foster a sense of professionalism in rural management.
3. Infrastructure Development:Kurien recognized the need for robust infrastructure to support dairy operations. He spearheaded the establishment of chilling plants, transportation systems, and processing facilities across rural areas. This infrastructure was crucial for maintaining milk quality and ensuring timely delivery to markets, thus increasing overall production efficiency.
4. Technological Innovation:To improve productivity and product quality, Kurien promoted the adoption of modern technology in dairy farming. He established institutions like the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to facilitate research, training, and technological advancements in the dairy sector. These institutions played a vital role in developing innovative solutions for milk storage and processing.
5. Operation Flood:Kurien launched Operation Flood, which was instrumental in scaling up milk production across India. The program involved a phased approach that began with establishing dairy cooperatives in selected regions and gradually expanding to cover more areas. It successfully linked rural producers with urban markets, significantly increasing milk procurement from 190,000 tons in 1970 to over 4 million tons by 1998.
6. Market Access and Branding:He understood the importance of branding and market access for dairy products. Under his leadership, the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) was formed to market products under the Amul brand. This branding strategy not only enhanced product visibility but also created a strong consumer trust in quality dairy products produced by cooperatives.
7. Advocacy and Policy Support:Kurien actively engaged with government bodies to secure support for dairy cooperatives. He lobbied for policies that favored cooperative structures over private enterprises, ensuring that cooperatives received necessary funding and resources for growth. His efforts were crucial in creating a favorable environment for cooperative development.
8. Focus on Education and Training:Recognizing that education was key to empowerment, Kurien emphasized training programs for farmers on best practices in dairy farming. He believed that informed farmers could make better decisions regarding production techniques, animal husbandry, and business management.
Kurien’s vision for cooperatives influence other agricultural sectors
1. Replication of Cooperative Models:
Kurien’s success with dairy cooperatives, particularly through Operation Flood, inspired similar cooperative structures in other sectors, such as edible oils, fruits, and vegetables. The Oilseeds Growers’ Cooperative Project (OGCP) under Operation Golden Flow served as a notable example, enabling farmers to collectively market their produce and improve their bargaining power against larger buyers
.2. Emphasis on Professional Management:
Kurien introduced the concept of Professional Rural Management, which emphasized modern management practices within cooperatives. This approach has been adopted in various agricultural sectors, leading to improved efficiency and profitability through better resource management and strategic planning
.3. Focus on Infrastructure Development:
His initiatives highlighted the importance of infrastructure for agricultural success, prompting investments in storage, processing, and transportation facilities across different sectors. This focus on developing a robust supply chain became a blueprint for enhancing agricultural productivity nationwide
.4. Empowerment through Education and Training:
Kurien established institutions like the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) to train cooperative managers and farmers. This emphasis on education has been crucial in other agricultural sectors, fostering skilled professionals who can manage cooperatives effectively
.5. Advocacy for Farmer Rights:
Kurien’s advocacy for farmer ownership and control over production processes set a precedent that encouraged farmers in other sectors to organize into cooperatives. This model has empowered them to negotiate better prices and terms directly with markets, reducing dependency on intermediaries
.6. Sustainable Development Goals:
His vision encompassed broader socio-economic goals such as equity, inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods. This holistic approach has influenced policies in various agricultural sectors aimed at addressing rural poverty and enhancing food security
If you want share any News related Agriculture with us than send at info@agrimoon.com with your contact detail.
Nice Article