India's 'White Revolution': the power of the collective at work

In a move that is being called production by the masses rather than mass production, India has successfully mobilised 100 million subsistence and small-scale dairy farmers to make that country the world's largest milk producer. Lindi Botha visited India to see how this remarkable feat has been achieved.

- Lindi Botha

In the 1950s, India had the world's lowest per capita consumption of milk, despite the fact that the country had the largest cattle herd.

The irony was not lost on social entrepreneur Dr Verghese Kurien, who approached the Indian government with an idea that would become known as the White Revolution, and one that would transform India into the dairy powerhouse it is today.

Kurien recognised the treasure that lay in most backyards across the country. Hindus hold cattle in high esteem and although they do not eat beef, they do drink milk. Most rural households, therefore, keep cattle both for religious and food security purposes. Kurien realised that if these households were able to sell any excess milk they didn't consume, the cows could simultaneously become sources of income for masses of rural Indians while boosting national milk supplies.

During the 1960s, farmers were provided with improved genetics to boost their production. The National Dairy Development Board was established and a national milking grid linking millions of farmers to households was created so that milk could be sold directly to consumers. This eliminated seasonal fluctuations in milk prices, and provided farmers with a transparent pricing system, as there were no middlemen.

As a result, India not only became self-sufficient in dairy but is now the biggest producer of milk in the world.

GROWTH IN DEMAND

The country's per capita milk consumption increased from 130g/person/day in 1950 to 427g/person/day in 2021 and is expected to reach 825g/person/day by 2047.