National Milk Day (Nov 26): India’s dairy transformation in a nutshell

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, Updated At : 07:25 PM Nov 26, 2025 IST

National Milk Day, observed every year on November 26, commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr Verghese Kurien, celebrated as the Father of India’s White Revolution. The day honours millions of dairy farmers whose work has made India the world’s largest milk producer and strengthened the nation’s food and nutritional security.

Why Dr Kurien matters

In the 1950s-60s, India paradoxically faced a milk shortage despite having the world’s largest cattle population. Annual growth in milk production fell to barely 1-1.5 per cent, forcing dependence on imports. What changed the trajectory was the Anand Cooperative Model, institutionalised under leaders like Sardar Patel, Tribhuvandas Patel and later revolutionised by Kurien.

Appointed Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in 1965, Kurien spearheaded Operation Flood, launched on January 13, 1970. It became the world’s largest dairy development programme, enabling farmers to manage their own cooperatives, modernise processing and link rural producers with urban markets. Innovations like producing skimmed milk powder from buffalo milk gave India a competitive technological edge.

Impact of White Revolution

Operation Flood transformed India from a milk-deficient nation into the world’s top producer, surpassing the US in 1998. Within 30 years, per-capita milk availability doubled and dairy emerged as India’s largest self-sustaining rural employment generator. NDDB was recognised as an Institution of National Importance in 1987.

India’s dairy sector today

India’s dairy sector continues to surge:

• Milk production rose from 146.3 MT (2014-15) to 239.3 MT (2023-24) — a 63 per cent increase.

• Per-capita availability jumped from 124 g/day to 471 g/day.

• Productivity of India’s 303.7 million bovines grew 27 per cent — twice the global average.

• Indigenous breed production increased sharply due to schemes like the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and LHDCP.

Consumer behaviour is also evolving: smoothies, flavoured milk, fortified options and branded milk now dominate, though traditional dairy — curd, paneer, butter — remains household staples.

National Milk Day thus marks not just a leader, but a movement that reshaped rural India and continues to nourish the nation’s future.

National Milk Day (Nov 26): India’s dairy transformation in a nutshell

Info Nuggets

Ravneet Kaur

Tribune News Service

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National Milk Day (Nov 26): India’s dairy transformation in a nutshell

Info Nuggets

Ravneet Kaur

Tribune News Service

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