White Revolution (Operation Flood)

Definition

The transformation of India into the world's largest milk producer through Operation Flood, a dairy cooperative programme launched in 1970 that linked rural milk producers to urban markets.

Key points

• Operation Flood was launched in 1970 by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and is associated with Verghese Kurien, often called the "Father of the White Revolution".
• Built on the cooperative model pioneered at Anand in Gujarat (the Amul model), which collects, processes, and markets milk through producer-owned cooperatives.
• Created a national "milk grid" linking village cooperatives to city consumers, raising rural incomes and stabilising milk supply.
• Made India the world's largest milk producer; milk is now among the most valuable agricultural commodities by output value in India.
• Empowered small and marginal dairy farmers and women, and strengthened rural livelihoods alongside crop farming.

Why it matters for CAPF

The 1970 launch, the NDDB and Verghese Kurien, the Amul-Anand cooperative model, and India's rank as the largest milk producer are recurring agriculture and economy facts.

Common confusion

White Revolution is milk (Operation Flood, Kurien, Amul); Green Revolution is food grains; Blue Revolution is fisheries; Yellow Revolution is oilseeds. The "Father of the White Revolution" is Verghese Kurien, not M S Swaminathan.

Parent note

indian agriculture and cropping