Operation Flood was a landmark rural development programme initiated in India by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) under the leadership of Dr. Verghese Kurien, also known as the Father of the White Revolution in India. Launched in 1970, it transformed India from a milk-deficient country into the world’s largest milk producer. The programme aimed to create a nationwide milk grid, reduce reliance on imports, and increase rural incomes through dairy farming.
Three Phases of Operation Flood
Phase I (1970–1980)
Key Features:
- Funded by the sale of skimmed milk powder and butter oil gifted by the European Economic Community through the World Food Programme.
- Focused on creating milk sheds (regions supplying milk) and linking them to demand centres in major cities.
- Set up infrastructure for milk collection, storage, processing, and transportation.
- Established mother dairies in urban centres.
Goals:
- Link 18 major milk sheds with four metro cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai).
- Establish a reliable milk procurement system from farmers.
- Promote the Anand Pattern of cooperative dairy development.
Achievements:
- Created a foundation for a national milk grid.
- Boosted milk production and ensured stable milk prices for both producers and consumers.
- Encouraged rural employment, particularly for women.
- Connected over 13 lakh farmers through cooperatives by the end of this phase.
Phase II (1981–1985)
Key Features:
- Expanded infrastructure to 43,000 villages.
- Enhanced milk production by promoting crossbreeding, veterinary health care, and feed supply.
- Improved training and extension services for farmers.
- Promoted self-reliance of milk cooperatives and encouraged member education.
Goals:
- Expand milk sheds to 136 districts.
- Increase milk procurement and processing capacities.
- Enhance the quality of milk through better veterinary and animal husbandry support.
Achievements:
- Connected over 43 lakh farmers in more than 43,000 village dairy cooperatives.
- Introduced Artificial Insemination (AI) centres and veterinary services.
- Promoted balanced feed and mineral mixtures to improve cattle productivity.
- Led to significant reduction in milk imports and cost-effective distribution.
Phase III (1985–1996)
Key Features:
- Consolidation of earlier gains and establishment of self-sustaining dairy cooperatives.
- Focused on increasing productivity of milch animals, improving veterinary health services, and strengthening marketing systems.
- Encouraged commercial dairying and the use of information technology for cooperative management.
Goals:
- Cover all districts of India with dairy cooperatives.
- Strengthen cooperative institutions to become financially viable and independent.
- Provide better support services to ensure sustainability of the White Revolution.
Achievements:
- Enabled over 72,000 village dairy cooperatives with more than 1 crore farmer members.
- Helped India become the largest milk producer in the world.
- Promoted gender empowerment by involving rural women in dairy cooperatives.
- Increased per capita availability of milk significantly.
Goals of Operation Flood
- Increase Milk Production – Transform India from a milk-deficient country to a self-sufficient one.
- Reduce Dependence on Imports – Curb imports of milk powder and dairy products.
- Provide Fair Prices – Ensure stable and remunerative prices for milk producers and affordable milk for consumers.
- Promote Rural Development – Generate rural employment and improve the rural economy.
- Establish Milk Cooperatives – Empower farmers through cooperative ownership and democratic decision-making.
- Create a National Milk Grid – Ensure milk availability across the country, minimizing seasonal and regional price variations.
Achievements of Operation Flood
1. Milk Production Boom
- India’s milk production increased from 21 million tonnes in 1970 to over 80 million tonnes by 2000, and now exceeds 220 million tonnes (as per recent estimates).
2. Self-Sufficiency
- India stopped importing milk powder and became the largest milk producer globally.
3. Rural Empowerment
- More than 10 crore farmers, especially rural women, benefited from dairy cooperatives.
- Generated employment and improved rural incomes.
4. Nutrition and Food Security
- Per capita milk availability increased from 112 grams per day (1970) to over 400 grams per day.
- Milk became a major source of nutrition, especially in rural areas.
5. Development of Dairy Infrastructure
- Established processing plants, chilling centres, transportation facilities, and veterinary care units.
- Use of technology like bulk milk coolers and AI centres improved milk quality and productivity.
6. Economic Impact
- The White Revolution contributed to rural economic growth.
- Dairy cooperatives became an important component of India’s agrarian economy, contributing significantly to GDP and employment.
Conclusion
Operation Flood was not just a dairy development programme; it was a rural transformation movement. It empowered millions of farmers, especially women, through cooperative ownership, improved rural livelihoods, enhanced nutrition levels, and ensured India’s self-reliance in milk production. Dr. Verghese Kurien’s vision and leadership turned India into a model for other developing nations seeking to achieve food security and rural prosperity. Today, the legacy of Operation Flood continues through organisations like AMUL and state cooperative federations across the country.