National Milk Day 2023 - 26th November

Context

The National Dairy Development Board and Indian Dairy Association will be celebrating National Milk Day on November 26.

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Origin: The celebration was first started in 2014 by the Indian Dairy Association (IDA).
Aim: The aim behind celebrating National Milk Day on November 26th is to honour Dr. Verghese Kurien, who was born on this day.
- It also seeks to educate people about the importance of milk.

National Milk Day

Events Held: On the occasion of National Milk Day, events such as health camps, school-level competitions, and awareness campaigns are held.
- A ‘Milk Mela’ is also held to spread awareness about a healthy diet through milk consumption and its products.
Significance of the Day
- Awareness on Benefits of Milk Consumption: The National Milk Day creates awareness about the importance of consuming milk to tackle health problems.
- Nutritional Importance: The day also highlights the importance of good food and improved health by consuming milk and milk products.

Milk Production in India

Global Position: India is currently the largest producer of milk and milk products in the world, contributing about 23% of global milk production.
Growth: In the last eight years, milk production in India has registered a 61% increase to reach 221 Million Tonnes.
Largest Milk Producer States: States of Uttar Pradesh (18 %), Rajasthan (11%), Andhra Pradesh (10%), Gujarat (8%) and Punjab (7%) make up the top 5 milk producers in the country.
Export: India exported dairy products worth $284.65 million. Export destinations include Bangladesh, UAE, and other Southeast Asian countries.

White Revolution

About: The White Revolution was introduced in the 1970s to improve the overall milk production in the country. Dr Verghese Kurian is known as the father of the White Revolution.
- White Revolution in India was achieved through ‘Operation Flood,’ which was aimed at supporting the farmers to price the milk produced fairly.
The main objectives of the operation included:
- Increase in milk production
- Augmented rural incomes
- Fair prices for consumers
- Increased income and reduced poverty among participating farmers while ensuring a steady supply of milk in return
Phases of Operation Flood
- Phase I: It began in 1970 and continued till 1980. It was financed by selling butter oil and skimmed milk powder donated by the EU to India.
- Phase II: This phase began in 1981 and continued till 1985. During this phase, the number of milk sheds grew and milk outlets were expanded across the country.
  - The production of milk powder and the amount of milk sold also grew during this phase of the programme.
- Phase III: It continued between 1985 and 1996, enabling the dairy cooperatives to expand and gave a finishing touch to the programme.
  - It also focused on developing infrastructure needed to procure and market increasing volumes of milk.
Main Reasons behind Success:
- Adopting modern technologies and methods to store and milk cows;
- Changing composition of animal feed to enhance milk production;
- Regular revision of producer costs;
Success of Operation Flood:
- Largest Milk Producer: Operation Flood transformed India from a milk-deficient nation into the world’s largest milk producer.
- Double Milk Availability: Within 30 years of introduction of the programme, India doubled the milk available per person.
- Rural Employment Generation: The operation converted dairying into India’s largest self-sustainable rural employment generator.
- Fair Milk Prices for Consumers: Operation Flood ensured that there was a significant amount of milk available for providing at fair prices to the consumers.
- Reduce Poverty: Operation Flood helped farmers in rural parts to increase their income, thereby reducing poverty.

Government Measures to Promote Milk Production in India

National Programme for Dairy Development: This scheme was introduced by merging three schemes – Intensive Dairy Development Programme, Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality and Clean Milk Production, and Assistance to Cooperatives.
- The scheme seeks to enhance the quality of milk, milk products and increase the share of organized procurement, processing, value addition and marketing.
National Dairy Plan: It aims to develop and conserve 6 indigenous breeds of cattle and 6 buffalo breeds through implementation of progeny testing and pedigree selection programme.
Rashtriya Gokul Mission: The mission plans to develop and conserve indigenous bovine breeds thereby enhancing milk production and productivity, through following methods:
- Identifying high genetic merit bulls for semen production;
- Recording performance of breeds;
- Making farmers aware of the importance of rearing indigenous breeds;
- Training of farmers;
- Creating breeder societies;

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National Milk Day FAQs

The National Dairy Development Board and Indian Dairy Association will be celebrating National Milk Day on November 26.

The aim behind celebrating National Milk Day on November 26th is to honour Dr. Verghese Kurien, who was born on this day.

Operation Flood is the name given to the white revolution, which aimed to improve the overall milk production in the country.

The National Programme for Dairy Development, the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, and the National Dairy Plan are some of the measures to promote dairy farming.

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National Milk Day 2023 – 26th November

Context

More on the News

Milk Production in India

White Revolution

Government Measures to Promote Milk Production in India

National Milk Day FAQs

When is National Milk Day Celebrated?

What is the Occasion for Celebrating National Milk Day?

What is Operation Flood?

What are some of the Government measures to promote Dairy Farming?

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