Operation Flood in India - Revolutionizing the Dairy Sector

Operation Flood, also known as the White Revolution, launched on January 13, 1970 it was a groundbreaking rural development program launched in India. Operation Flood aimed to revolutionize the dairy sector, increase milk production, and empower farmers. It was launched to make India self-dependent in milk production. Dr Verghese Kurien the chief architect of the operation, is known as the father of The White Revolution in India. It is believed that the success of the Green Revolution of the late 1960s somewhat inspired the idea of the White Revolution.

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Why did India need Operation Flood or White Revolution?

Many reasons can be attributed to the need for Operation Flood in India. The recent success of the Green Revolution (Late 1960s) also inspired the setting up of a similar program. Some of the important issues that led to the need for Operation Flood were:

• India faced milk scarcity and lacked an organized dairy industry.
• Farmers needed better resources and control over their livelihoods.
• There was a need to reduce malpractices by traders and merchants.

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Phases of Operation Flood

Phase I (1970–1980): Phase I focused on creating a national milk grid. Major milk-producing regions were connected to urban markets. The program was financed by the sale of skimmed milk powder and butter oil donated by the European Economic Community (EEC) through the World Food Program (WFP). It successfully linked 18 premier milk sheds with consumers in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. Mother dairies were established in these cities, reducing seasonal and regional price variations and ensuring fair profits for farmers.

Phase II (1981–1985): This II Phase expanded the program further. The milk sheds increased from 18 to 136, and urban markets expanded to 290 outlets. The focus remained on augmenting milk production, improving farmers’ access to resources, and enhancing rural incomes.

Phase III: From 1985 until 1996, Phase III aimed to deliver high-quality milk to consumers in 700 towns and cities through the National Milk Grid. It continued to eliminate middlemen, ensuring a steady supply and stable prices.

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Significance of Operation Flood

• Operation Flood empowered dairy farmers, leading to increased rural incomes.
• India surpassed the United States in milk production by 1998 and became the largest milk producer.
• Farmers gained control over resources, reducing exploitation by traders.
• Dr. Verghese Kurien’s vision and Amul’s success left a lasting impact.

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Conclusion

Operation Flood’s success doubled the milk available per person in India within three decades, making dairy farming a self-sustainable rural employment generator. Dr. Verghese Kurien, one of the founders of Amul, played a pivotal role in this transformation.