Commemorating National Milk Day
Observed every year on November 26, National Milk Day honors the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, widely known as the Father of the White Revolution. Born in Kozhikode, Kerala, on November 26, 1921, Dr. Kurien played a pivotal role in transforming India into the world’s largest producer of milk, addressing nutritional security, rural empowerment, and economic growth.
Currently, India accounts for 25% of global milk production, producing 230.58 million tonnes annually, followed by the United States. During 2022-23, milk production grew at an annual rate of 3.83%, reflecting the success of government efforts to enhance livestock productivity. The per capita milk availability has also risen to 459 grams per day.
The White Revolution and Operation Flood
India’s dairy transformation was initiated with the launch of Operation Flood, spearheaded by Dr. Verghese Kurien as the first chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The program aimed to replicate the Anand pattern of dairy cooperatives across the country.
The project was implemented in three phases:
• Phase I (1970–1980): Funded by the sale of skimmed milk powder and butter oil donated by the European Union, milk production infrastructure began to take shape.
• Phase II (1981–1985): Milk-sheds expanded from 18 to 136, while urban markets grew significantly. By the end of this phase, 43,000 village cooperatives covered 4.25 million producers.
• Phase III (1985–1996): Infrastructure was strengthened, enabling dairy cooperatives to handle increased milk volumes. The number of dairy cooperatives grew to 73,000. These phases established a self-sustaining system, empowering rural farmers and ensuring the availability of milk in urban areas.
Achievements in Dairy Development
India’s remarkable achievements in the dairy sector include:
1. World Leadership in Milk Production: Producing 231 MMT in 2022-23, with a value of ₹11.16 lakh crore.
2. Rural Livelihoods: Supporting 8.5 crore rural households, primarily through dairy cooperatives.
3. Growing Bovine Population: The number of milking bovines increased by 26.26% from 2014 to 2023.
4. Technological Advancements: The adoption of AI, IVF labs, and sex-sorted semen has enhanced productivity and improved breeding practices.
5. Digital Integration: The Bharat Pashudhan digital ecosystem has recorded over 34 crore transactions, aiding farmers in livestock management.
Empowering Women in Dairying: Women play a prominent role in India’s dairy sector, performing crucial tasks like feeding, milking, and marketing milk products. Women constitute 69% of the workforce in livestock-related activities, making dairying a significant contributor to poverty alleviation and gender equity. Notable examples include: • Ichhamati Cooperative Milk Union (West Bengal) and Mulukanoor Women’s Cooperative (Andhra Pradesh): Fully managed by women. • Out of 22 Milk Producer Organizations (MPOs), 15 are all-women cooperatives, with women representing 71% of producers.
Key Government Initiatives
The Government of India has supported the dairy sector through initiatives like:
• National Dairy Plan (NDP)
• Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)
• Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF)
• Kisan Credit Cards for Dairy Farmers
These programs aim to improve productivity, modernize infrastructure, and ensure sustainable rural livelihoods.
Honoring Dr. Kurien’s Legacy
National Milk Day celebrates Dr. Verghese Kurien’s pioneering leadership and the success of the White Revolution. His efforts exemplify how innovation, cooperation, and empowerment can drive self-reliance and growth. This day is a tribute to the farmers, cooperatives, and visionaries who made India a global leader in dairy production.
References:
https://dahd.gov.in/
https://www.dahd.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-10/dahdmonthlysummaryseptember2024.pdf
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)
