24-September-2024-Editorial

WHITE REVOLUTION 2.0: EMPOWERING INDIA’S DAIRY SECTOR

White Revolution 2.0 is a government initiative aimed at boosting milk production, empowering women farmers, and tackling malnutrition in India.

It builds on the success of the original White Revolution, also known as ‘Operation Flood’, launched in 1970 by Dr. Verghese Kurien, which transformed India from a milk-deficient country into the world’s largest milk producer.

The new phase focuses on enhancing milk productivity, creating jobs, and ensuring nutritional security.

Key Objectives of White Revolution 2.0

Increasing Milk Production:

• Focus on boosting milk production to meet growing demand and reduce price volatility.
• Target for dairy cooperatives to procure 100 million kg of milk daily within five years.

Women Empowerment:

• Women play a crucial role in the dairy sector, especially in rural areas.
• The initiative will absorb more women into formal employment, ensuring financial inclusion by transferring earnings directly into their bank accounts.

Fighting Malnutrition:

• With increased milk availability, the program aims to provide better nutrition to children and tackle malnutrition, particularly in underprivileged communities.

Margdarshika (SOPs) for White Revolution 2.0

Formation of New Cooperatives:

• The Ministry of Cooperation, in collaboration with NABARD and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has launched SOPs called Margdarshika.
• Aim to form 200,000 new multipurpose primary agricultural cooperatives (MPACs) across the country, especially in panchayats lacking such institutions.
• New cooperatives will focus on agricultural, fisheries, and dairy-related activities.

Expansion of Cooperatives:

• Following the successful pilot of the ‘Cooperation among Cooperatives’ initiative in Gujarat, the government aims for nationwide expansion.
• Dairy farmers will benefit from interest-free cash credit through RuPay Kisan Credit Cards and micro-ATMs for better financial inclusion.

PACS Computerisation:

• SOPs for the computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) aim to modernise their functioning, ensuring transparency and efficiency in dairy cooperative operations.

Current Status of India’s Dairy Sector

Global Leader in Milk Production:

• India produced 231 million tonnes of milk in 2022-23, making it the world’s top milk producer.
• In 1951-52, India produced only 17 million tonnes.

Top Milk-Producing States:

• Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh contribute 53.08% of India’s total milk production.

Per Capita Availability of Milk:

• India’s per capita availability of milk is 459 grams/day, higher than the global average of 323 grams/day.
• It varies widely across states, from 329 grams/day in Maharashtra to 1,283 grams/day in Punjab.

Milk Contribution to Agriculture Sector:

• Milk and related products (butter, ghee, lassi) make up 40% of the total value from agriculture and livestock sectors, contributing Rs 11.16 lakh crore in 2022-23.

Need for White Revolution 2.0

Improving Milk Productivity:

• India’s average milk yield is relatively low at 8.55 kg per animal per day for exotic breeds, and 3.44 kg/animal/day for indigenous animals.
• States like Punjab have higher productivity (13.49 kg/animal/day), but others like West Bengal lag behind (6.30 kg/animal/day).

Reversing Declining Growth Rate:

• Milk production growth has slowed, decreasing from 6.47% in 2018-19 to 3.83% in 2022-23, highlighting the need for intervention.

Formalisation of Milk Consumption Patterns:

• About 63% of total milk production is marketed, with two-thirds of this volume handled by the unorganised sector. White Revolution 2.0 aims to strengthen cooperatives in the organised sector.

Addressing Rising Milk Prices:

• Rising input costs have pushed milk prices up from Rs 42 to Rs 60 per litre in five years. White Revolution 2.0 seeks to mitigate further price increases.

Environmental Concerns:

• Livestock is responsible for 32% of human-caused methane emissions, contributing to global warming. The initiative will explore ways to reduce emissions from dairy farming.

Steps to Boost Milk Production under White Revolution 2.0

Genetic Improvement:

• Introduction of sex-sorted (SS) semen will help increase the number of high-yielding female calves, boosting future milk production.

Embryo Transfer (ET) Technology:

• ET allows high-genetic-merit cows to produce multiple calves per year, significantly increasing milk-producing capacity.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Technology:

• IVF will further accelerate the production of high-genetic-merit cows, producing up to 33-35 calves per donor cow annually.

Improved Animal Nutrition:

• Amul is setting up a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) plant in Gujarat to produce affordable, nutrient-rich fodder for dairy animals.
• Improved animal diet will not only increase productivity but also reduce methane emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Related Schemes Supporting the Dairy Sector

• Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)
• National Animal Disease Control Programme
• Rashtriya Gokul Mission
• National Artificial Insemination Programme
• National Livestock Mission

Conclusion

White Revolution 2.0 represents a comprehensive effort to enhance India’s dairy sector by increasing milk production, empowering women farmers, and fighting malnutrition. With its focus on modern technology, genetic improvements, and efficient cooperative models, this initiative will strengthen rural livelihoods, ensure sustainable growth in milk production, and contribute to India’s food security.