The Central Government launched Cooperative-led White Revolution 2.0 to expand dairy cooperatives, boost rural employment, and strengthen women’s participation.

Historical Background

What is White Revolution in India?

• On January 13, 1970, India''s National Dairy began Operation Flood, the greatest dairy development initiative in the world.
• It made India, a country with a milk shortage, the world''s top producer of milk, surpassing the United States of America in 1998.
• It was started to aid farmers in development by allowing them to manage the resources they produce.
• All of this was made possible by mass production, which has come to be known as the "White Revolution."
• The technology that completely transformed India''s organized dairy industry was the production of skim milk powder from buffalo milk. Harichand Megha Dalaya was the one responsible for making this happen.
• The dairy cooperative Amul''s Anand Pattern Experiment was the key to the program''s success.
• Dr. Verghese Kurien, the chairman of the National Dairy Development Board, was in charge when Operation Flood began.
• Dr. Kurien advanced the cooperatives to support the revolution with his exemplary management abilities.
• He is credited with being the "Father of the White Revolution" in India.
• Every year on November 26th, India observes National Milk Day, which is the birth anniversary of Dr. Varghese Kurien.

• Institutional Foundation: The National Dairy Development Board (1965), with Verghese Kurien as Chairman, laid the institutional and strategic base for Operation Flood.
• White Revolution: Operation Flood (White Revolution 1.0) made India the world’s largest milk producer by 1998; White Revolution 2.0 is now a modernised cooperative expansion with a gender focus.

White Revolution - Objectives

• The operation flood was founded on the cooperatives of local milk farmers.
• They obtained milk and offered the services while making the most use of contemporary technology and management.

The following are the objectives of the White Revolution:

• Increasing production to produce a flood of milk;
• Increase in rural incomes;
• Reasonable costs for customers; and
• A consistent supply of milk in exchange for a rise in income and a decline in poverty among participating farmers.

White Revolution - Phases

Phase I

• Phase 1 of the white revolution (aka Operation Flood) began in July 1970 to establish dairy cooperatives in 18 milk sheds across ten states and connect them to the four best metropolitan markets.
• By 1981, India had 13,000 village dairy cooperatives covering 15,000 farmers.

Phase II

• The second phase of the operation, based on the designs of phase 1, aided dairy development programs in Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Urban markets also boosted the number of milk outlets to 290 during Phase II (1981–1985), which saw a rise in the milk shed numbers from 18 to 136.
• A self-sustaining network of 43,000 village co-operatives with 4,250,000 milk producers was in place by the end of 1985.
• Along with direct milk marketing by producers'' cooperatives, domestic milk powder production increased.

Phase III

• Phase III gave dairy cooperatives the opportunity to build and develop the infrastructure needed to acquire and market rising milk quantities.
• Co-operative members'' access to feed, artificial insemination, and veterinary first-aid services were increased, along with member education efforts.
• Phase III of Operation Flood consolidated India''s dairy cooperative movement, adding 30,000 new cooperatives to the 42,000 already established during Phase II.
• Milksheds peaked at 173 in 1988-89, with the number of female members and Women''s Dairy Cooperative Societies significantly increasing.
• Phase III placed a greater emphasis on animal health and nutrition research and development.
• Innovations such as the Theileriosis vaccine, bypass protein feed, and urea-molasses mineral blocks all contributed to increased milch animal productivity.

White Revolution - Role of Amul

• Verghese Kurien, Shri Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel, and Harichand Megha Dalaya, collectively known as the Amul trinity, were instrumental in the success of this venture.
• Amul is an Indian dairy cooperative association with headquarters in the Gujarat city of Anand.
• It was established in 1946 and is a cooperative brand run by the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF).
• India''s "White Revolution," sparked by Amul, made it the world''s top producer of milk and dairy products.
• Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri appointed Verghese Kurien, the CEO, and founder of Amul, to lead NDDB.
• The success of Amul has inspired comparable movements in other Indian agricultural products.
• These industries create standards for businesses around the world to follow and adapt, excelling in fields like branding, marketing, and management.
• Amul has gradually developed itself as a laboratory, producing significant inventions and developing its own technologies, increasing its competitiveness against multinational corporations.
• Building on the solid basis its visionary leader laid, Amul Cooperative Model has progressively increased the number of products in its lineup while also adding new ones.
• Other dairy cooperatives like Nandini in Karnataka, Aavin in Tamil Nadu, and Verka in Punjab look forward to Amul as one of India''s most well-known food brands for inspiration.

Historical Background

• Institutional Foundation: The National Dairy Development Board (1965), with Verghese Kurien as Chairman, laid the institutional and strategic base for Operation Flood.
• White Revolution: Operation Flood (White Revolution 1.0) made India the world’s largest milk producer by 1998; White Revolution 2.0 is now a modernised cooperative expansion with a gender focus.

India’s Milk Production Leadership

• Global Leader: India ranks first in milk production, contributing over 25% of global output.
• Record Output: Milk production reached 239.3 million tonnes in 2023–24.
• Decadal Growth: Output rose 63.56% from 146.3 MT (2014–15) to 239.3 MT (2023–24).
• Growth Rate: India’s milk production grew at 5.7% annually, far above the global 2%.
• Per Capita Supply: Milk availability stands at 471 g/person/day vs. the global average of 322 g.

White Revolution 2.0: Key Features

• Aim: White Revolution 2.0 targets a 50% rise in cooperative milk procurement over five years.
• Procurement: Cooperative milk procurement is projected to reach 1,007 lakh kg/day by 2028–29.
• Funding Mechanism: The initiative is financed under the National Dairy Development Programme (NPDD) 2.0, implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• Institutional Expansion: Setting up and strengthening of around 1.20 lakh new and existing Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS), Multipurpose Dairy Cooperative Societies (M-DCS) and Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (M-PACS).
• New Cooperatives: 75,000 new DCSs will be established in uncovered areas to improve farmer market access and incomes.
• Capacity Strengthening: 46,422 existing DCSs will be upgraded to enhance procurement efficiency and nutritional availability.
• Infrastructure Support: Provision of Automatic Milk Collection Units (AMCU), Data Processing Milk Collection Units (DPMCU), milk testing units and bulk milk coolers will modernise collection & quality.
• Women Workforce: Nearly 70% of dairy farm labour comprises women, engaged in milking, feeding and animal care.
• The National Programme for Dairy Development: Launched in 2014 and restructured in 2021, develops infrastructure for milk procurement, processing, and marketing nationwide.

Key Drivers of India’s Dairy Sector

• Cooperative Networks: NDDB and ~1.7 lakh Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCSs) organise milk procurement, processing, and marketing.
• Women Workforce: ~70% of dairy labour, driving productivity, income, and empowerment.
• Rising Domestic Demand: Milk consumption ~471 g/person/day; urbanisation and dietary changes fuel demand.
• Technological Adoption: Milk testing units, bulk milk coolers, and Automatic Milk Collection Units improve quality and efficiency.
• Genetic Improvement: Crossbreeding and indigenous breed conservation enhance per-animal milk yield. E.g., 8.55 kg/day for crossbred cattle.
• Market Linkages: Expanding organised market channels reduces dependence on middlemen and ensures fair prices.

Socio-Economic Significance of the Dairy Sector

• Rural Income: White Revolution 2.0 targets 50% rise in milk procurement from 660 → 1,007 lakh kg/day by 2028–29, boosting small farmer earnings.
• Women Empowerment: Women form ~70% of the dairy workforce; cooperatives enhance their income control and decision-making roles.
• Nutritional Security: Ensures consistent milk availability (~471 g/person/day), improving protein intake and reducing malnutrition in children.
• Economic Output: Dairy contributes ~40% of the agriculture-livestock sector output (~Rs 11.16 lakh crore) and livelihoods for 8.5 crore people.
• Regional Growth: Expansion in UP, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh reduces coverage gaps (<10% in some regions) and strengthens rural development.

Government Initiatives for the Development of the Dairy Sector

• Rashtriya Gokul Mission: It is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2014 to enhance milk productivity through genetic improvements and conservation of indigenous cattle breeds.
• NPDD: The National Programme for Dairy Development, launched in 2014 and restructured in 2021, develops infrastructure for milk procurement, processing, and marketing nationwide.
• NLM: The National Livestock Mission, realigned in 2021–22, promotes employment, entrepreneurship, and productivity in the livestock sector.
• LHDCP: The Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (2024–26) enhances animal health through vaccination and disease prevention.
• AHIDF: The Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund, launched in 2020 under Atmanirbhar Bharat, promotes investment in dairy processing and value-addition infrastructure.

Challenges

• Coverage Gap: Many states, such as WB, Assam, Odisha, and Jharkhand, and the Northeast (<10% villages), have lower cooperative coverage than Gujarat, Kerala, and Sikkim (>70%).
• Infrastructure Deficit: Most DCSs lack modern milk collection, testing, and chilling units, resulting in losses and quality deterioration.
• Market Vulnerability: ~Two-thirds of milk sold through the unorganised sector causes price fluctuations and low farmer returns.
• Climate Stress: Heat waves, water scarcity, and feed shortage reduce productivity and threaten livelihoods.
• Women’s Barriers: Despite ~70% workforce participation, women face limited access to credit, training, and decision-making opportunities.

Way Forward

• Productivity Boost: Promote crossbreeding, veterinary services, and feed/fodder management to increase per-animal yield and resilience.
• Women Strengthening: Support women-led cooperatives with training, credit access, and formal recognition in income and governance.
• Market Stabilisation: Increase cooperative share in organised marketing, promote value-added products like cheese, ghee, yoghurt.
• Policy Support: Implement NPDD 2.0 effectively, provide financial assistance, training, and state-specific action plans.
• Climate Practices: Adopt sustainable fodder, water-efficient, and solar-powered chilling systems with disease prevention and waste management.
• White Revolution 2.0 can become India’s “second dairy leap” if cooperative deepening, region-specific strategies, climate-resilient dairying, women-led governance, and organised market integration converge to deliver inclusive, nutritious, and sustainable rural growth.

UPSC Prelims 2025 PYQ

Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission:

1. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.
2. It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) I only

(b) II only

(c) Both I and II

(d) Neither I nor II

Option c is the correct answer.

• The Rashtriya Gokul Mission was initiated by the Government of India under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
• Statement 1 is correct: The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) is crucial for upliftment of rural poor as more than 80% low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers. The scheme is important in enhancing milk production and productivity of bovines to meet growing demand of milk and making dairying more remunerative to the rural farmers of the country.
• Statement 2 is correct:  The Rashtriya Gokul Mission was launched to promote the rearing and conservation of indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds in a scientific and holistic manner. The mission aims to enhance the productivity of native breeds, preserve their genetic diversity, and improve rural livelihoods. It focuses on the development of high-genetic merit animals through modern breeding technologies, establishment of Gokul Grams (cattle care centers), and support for traditional animal husbandry practices.