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On November 26, National Milk Day is observed to honor the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, known as "The Milkman of India," who is credited for helping India to become self-sufficient in the production of milk. 

About Dr Verghese Kurien

He was born on November 26, 1921, in Kozhikode, Kerala, and earned degrees in physics and mechanical engineering to join the Indian Army as an engineer.

In 1949, Verghese Kurien received a government scholarship for his master's degree and was assigned to Anand, Gujarat, to work as a dairy officer.

Role in Dairy Sector Growth 

Verghese Kurien developed the Anand Model, a cooperative model in which farmers manage their own dairy procurement, processing, and marketing with professional assistance. This model contributed to the White Revolution through promoting farmers' direct involvement in decision-making, allowing them to oversee professional management, and connecting producers directly to consumers.

He was influenced by milk distributors' exploitation of farmers, and the cooperative movement. In 1950, he left his government job to establish Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd. (KDCMPUL), which became "Amul".

He played an important role in the formation of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in 1965. He was appointed chairman of the NDDB (1965 to 1998) and contributed to India's dairy development initiatives.

Verghese Kurien, along with Tribhuvandas Patel and HM Dalaya, helped to expand India's dairy sector and milk cooperatives, which became known as the "Amul Trinity."

White Revolution 

The White Revolution or Operation Flood was launched in January 1970.

It was the world's largest dairy development program, Verghese Kurien led this initiative by supporting farmers in taking control of their own dairy production.

It transformed India from a milk-deficient nation into the world's largest milk producer, surpassing the United States in 1998, with India accounting for about 25% of global milk output in 2024.

• Annual milk production increased from 23.3 million tonnes in 1968-69 to 239 million tonnes in 2023-24.
• India's per capita milk consumption increased from 107 grams per day in 1970 to 459 grams per day in 2023, far more than the global average of 322 grams per day.

It created employment and income opportunities for rural women through dairy farming and management.

According to the National Council of Applied Economic Research, more than three-quarters of rural milch animal households in Operation Flood areas were owned by small, marginal, or landless farmers.

Institutions established by Verghese Kurien

In 1979, he founded the Anand Institute of Rural Management (IRMA) to provide management training and research support to the cooperatives.

He helped to restructure the National Co-operative Dairy Federation in 1988, establishing a national-level body to manage State Co-operative Dairy Federations.

He established the Anandalaya Education Society to provide high-quality school education to the children of Anand's employees.

He founded the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. and was chairman from 1973 to 2006.

Awards and Honour

Dr. Verghese Kurien has received several international awards, including the Carnegie Foundation's Wateler Peace Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership, and the World Food Prize.

He  was honoured with national awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Krishi Ratna Award, for his contributions to dairy and social programs.

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Source: 

Indian Express