White Revolution 2.0: A New Era for India’s Dairy Industry
Introduction
India’s dairy sector has witnessed a transformative journey from being a milk-deficient nation to the world’s leading producer and consumer of milk. Despite remarkable progress, the sector now faces challenges that call for the launch of White Revolution 2.0.
Historical Context: The Original White Revolution
Initiated in 1970 by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) under Dr. Verghese Kurien, the original White Revolution, or Operation Flood, played a pivotal role in enhancing milk production. Key achievements included:
- Crossbreeding Initiatives: High-yielding exotic breeds were crossed with indigenous cows.
- Improved Nutrition and Infrastructure: Enhanced animal nutrition and milk processing facilities led to increased output.
- Production Growth: Milk production surged from 17 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 230.58 million tonnes in 2022-23.
Current Milk Production Landscape
As of 2023, key milk-producing states include Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, which together contribute over half of India’s total milk production.
Challenges Facing the Dairy Sector
Productivity Issues
- Low Milk Yield: Average milk production per cow in India remains significantly lower than in countries like the United States.
- Declining Growth Rate: The annual growth rate of milk production has slowed from 6.47% to 3.83%.
Rising Demand and Cost Pressures
- Increased Demand: Population growth and the nutritional appeal of milk are driving demand beyond current production capabilities.
- Cost Burdens: Rising feed costs and lack of stable pricing threaten dairy farmers’ income and investment capacity.
Health and Technological Gaps
- Animal Health: Diseases and inadequate healthcare for livestock affect overall productivity.
- Technological Adoption: A lack of farmer awareness and training in advanced dairy practices hampers efficiency.
White Revolution 2.0: Key Focus Areas
The second phase of the White Revolution aims to build on cooperative societies, emphasizing:
Empowerment of Women Farmers
- Training and Market Access: Providing women with training, credit access, and market linkages to enhance their roles in dairy farming.
Boosting Milk Collection
- Collection Targets: Aiming to increase national milk collection by 50% in five years, ramping up daily procurement significantly.
Expansion of Dairy Cooperatives
- Network Growth: Plans to establish 56,000 new dairy cooperative societies and strengthen existing ones.
Funding and Technological Advancements
Financial Support
- National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) 2.0: A central scheme to fund the initiatives of White Revolution 2.0.
- Cooperation among Cooperatives: Expanding initiatives for interest-free credit to farmers.
Technological Integration
- Modern Practices: Adoption of technologies like embryo transfer and sex-sorted semen to enhance productivity and breeding outcomes.
Strengthening Dairy Infrastructure
Investments in robust infrastructure for milk collection, processing, and distribution are essential for enhancing the dairy supply chain.
Enhancing Dairy Exports
Recognizing the global potential of India’s dairy sector, the initiative aims to improve quality and increase dairy exports.
Related Government Initiatives
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission: Focused on conserving indigenous cattle breeds.
- Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme: Aims to create self-employment opportunities in the dairy sector.
Conclusion
White Revolution 2.0 signifies a crucial advancement in empowering women, enhancing milk production, and fortifying India’s dairy industry. By promoting cooperation, innovation, and sustainable practices, this initiative aspires to create a successful future for India’s dairy sector.
Questions for RAS Mains
- Analyze the impact of White Revolution 2.0 on the socio-economic landscape of rural India.
- Discuss the technological advancements that could be pivotal in improving productivity in India’s dairy industry.
- Evaluate the challenges faced by dairy farmers in India and suggest measures to overcome them.
