On National Milk Day, India celebrates its transformation from a milk-deficient country to the world’s largest producer. Driven by the White Revolution and visionary leader Dr. Verghese Kurien, the Indian dairy sector is now entering a Nutritional Revolution focused on quality, sustainability, and innovation.
National Milk Day, observed on November 26, commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the architect of India’s White Revolution. What started as a mission to drastically increase milk production and empower rural farmers has today evolved into a comprehensive Nutritional Revolution emphasizing health, sustainability, and quality.
The White Revolution, launched through Operation Flood in 1970, connected millions of dairy farmers via cooperatives, transforming India into the largest milk producer globally. Over the decades, focus has shifted from pure volume towards dairy products rich in protein, purity, and ethical sourcing, reflecting changing consumer preferences.
India’s dairy industry is fostering innovation with value-added products like probiotic drinks, flavored milk, paneer, and cheese, driven by urbanization and health awareness. Government initiatives such as the National Programme for Dairy Development have upgraded infrastructure significantly, supporting procurement, processing, and marketing.
As India’s dairy landscape moves ahead, it prioritizes nutritional benefits, environmental sustainability, and farmer livelihoods, ensuring dairy remains a cornerstone of nutrition security and rural prosperity.
Key highlights:
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National Milk Day honors Dr. Verghese Kurien and the White Revolution legacy
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Operation Flood (1970) instrumental in making India world’s top milk producer
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Shift from quantity to nutritional quality, purity, and ethical sourcing
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Rising demand for value-added dairy products like probiotic drinks and cheese
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Government programs enhancing dairy infrastructure and cooperative networks
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Emphasis on sustainability, health, and economic upliftment of rural farmers
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India accounts for ~25% of global milk output, supporting over 8 crore farmers
Sources: The Hans India, PIB, News18, Wikipedia