White Revolution 2.0: Transforming India's Dairy Industry

WHITE REVOLUTION 2.0: WOMEN-LED & NUTRITION-FOCUSED 

Introduction to White Revolution 2.0

India’s dairy sector has long been a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural landscape, beginning with Operation Flood in 1970, which established India as the world’s leading milk producer. This initiative, known as the White Revolution, transformed India’s dairy industry by leveraging cooperative societies to streamline milk production, distribution, and marketing. Now, White Revolution 2.0 aims to build upon this legacy with a renewed focus on expanding cooperatives, enhancing nutrition, empowering women, and addressing regional disparities.

Key Objectives of White Revolution 2.0

• Revamping the Cooperative Model: White Revolution 2.0 aims to rejuvenate and expand the existing cooperative model by increasing the number of dairy cooperatives by 50% over the next five years. The government intends to provide market access to dairy farmers in underserved areas and increase the share of dairy cooperatives in the organized sector. This expansion is crucial for improving rural livelihoods, enhancing milk quality, and ensuring fair prices for farmers.

• Women-Led Empowerment: One of the central pillars of White Revolution 2.0 is the active participation and leadership of women in dairy cooperatives. Women constitute a significant portion of the workforce in the dairy sector, but their roles have often been limited to production rather than decision-making. The initiative aims to empower women by increasing their representation in cooperative management, offering skill development programs, and ensuring access to credit and resources. This approach not only enhances the income of women-led households but also improves community welfare, as women tend to reinvest earnings into their families’ health and education.

• Boosting Nutritional Security: White Revolution 2.0 also focuses on improving nutritional security by enhancing the availability and accessibility of quality dairy products. With milk being a primary source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, particularly in rural diets, the initiative aims to boost per capita milk availability and address malnutrition, especially among children and women. By fortifying milk and other dairy products with essential micronutrients, the initiative seeks to combat nutrient deficiencies prevalent in many parts of India.

Scope for Expansion and Funding

• Strategic Expansion: Since its creation in 2021, the Ministry of Cooperation has concentrated on expanding the network of dairy cooperatives in rural and underserved regions. According to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the strategy involves setting up approximately 56,000 multipurpose dairy cooperative societies across 1.8 lakh villages in the next five years. This includes a push in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, where cooperative penetration is currently low (only 10-20%).

• Pilot Projects and Early Successes: Early pilot projects in Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka have demonstrated promising results. For instance, in the pilot phase, 79 Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCSs) have been established, procuring over 15,000 liters of milk daily from about 2,500 farmers. This model is designed to be replicated nationwide, with a strong focus on ensuring equitable access to dairy markets for small-scale and marginalized farmers.

• Funding Mechanism: White Revolution 2.0 will primarily be funded through the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) 2.0, with additional support from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The NDDB has earmarked funds to modernize dairy infrastructure, improve cold chain logistics, and facilitate better pricing mechanisms for farmers. The revised cost estimates for setting up new MPCAs (Multi-Purpose Cooperative Agencies) have been projected at Rs 40,000 per unit, with most funding sourced from NDDB resources.

Current Milk Production Scenario in India

• Global Leadership in Dairy: India is the world’s top milk producer, with production reaching 230.58 million tonnes in 2022-23, marking a significant increase from the mere 17 million tonnes produced in 1951. India contributes nearly 23% of global milk production, ahead of the United States, China, and Brazil. The national per capita availability of milk is 459 grams per day, compared to the global average of 323 grams.

• Regional Production Disparities: States like Punjab lead in productivity, with yields as high as 13.94 kg per animal per day, driven by the prevalence of exotic and crossbred breeds. However, states like West Bengal and other Eastern regions lag significantly, with yields as low as 6.30 kg per animal per day, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions in breeding, nutrition, and veterinary care.

• Species Contributions: Exotic/crossbred animals account for a major share of production due to their higher yield compared to indigenous breeds. Nondescript buffaloes, indigenous cattle, and nondescript cattle contribute 12.87%, 10.73%, and 9.51% of the total milk production, respectively. This diverse genetic pool, however, poses challenges in standardizing quality and maximizing production efficiency.

Nutrition and Health Implications

• Fortification and Nutrient-Rich Products: White Revolution 2.0 aims to address the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations by promoting the fortification of milk with essential nutrients like Vitamin A, D, and calcium. This is particularly important in combating widespread nutritional deficiencies among children and pregnant women in India, where milk is a staple.

• Improving Maternal and Child Health: Enhanced access to dairy products will directly benefit maternal and child health by providing essential nutrients necessary for growth and development. The cooperative model also ensures that women, who are often the primary caregivers, have direct access to these benefits, thereby fostering a healthier future generation.

Challenges and Focus Areas for White Revolution 2.0

• Regional Disparities: Cooperative coverage remains uneven, with some states like Kerala and Gujarat having over 70% of villages under dairy cooperatives, while states like Assam, Jharkhand, and West Bengal have less than 10%. Expanding cooperative reach in these low-coverage areas is essential for achieving equitable growth.

• Infrastructure Deficits: Inadequate cold chain infrastructure, limited market access, and lack of veterinary support are significant hurdles that need addressing to enhance milk quality and reduce spoilage. Investments in infrastructure modernization are critical to supporting smallholder farmers.

• Sustainability Concerns: The expansion of dairy cooperatives must be balanced with environmental considerations. The sector’s impact on water resources, greenhouse gas emissions, and land use requires sustainable practices, such as promoting water-efficient breeds and encouraging organic feed production.

Conclusion

White Revolution 2.0 represents a transformative vision for India’s dairy sector, emphasizing cooperative growth, women’s leadership, and nutritional enhancement. By addressing regional disparities, improving infrastructure, and integrating women into leadership roles within cooperatives, the initiative not only aims to boost milk production but also to provide holistic benefits to society, particularly in terms of nutrition and rural empowerment.

Quotation for Future Civil Servants:
“Empowering communities through cooperative action is not just about increasing yields; it’s about nurturing the human spirit and ensuring no one is left behind in the pursuit of prosperity.”

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