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• 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.

• 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;