Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Food Processing and Related Industries in India- Scope’ and Significance, Location, Upstream and Downstream Requirements, Supply Chain Management.
Context
Union Home and Cooperation Minister launched the standard operating procedure for ‘White Revolution 2.0’.
Source
The Indian Express| Editorial dated 21st September 2024
White Revolution 2.0
White Revolution 2.0 , spearheaded by the Indian government, aims to revitalize the dairy sector by leveraging cooperative societies, similar to the successful strategy of Operation Flood. With the dairy industry playing a pivotal role in India’s agricultural economy, this initiative seeks to increase milk procurement, improve infrastructure, and create employment, particularly benefiting women.
Current Scenario of India’s Dairy Sector
- Top Milk Producer:
- India is the world’s largest milk producer, reaching 230.58 million tonnes in 2022-23, a massive increase from 17 million tonnes in 1951-52.
- Per Capita Milk Availability:
- The national per capita availability of milk is 459 grams/day, surpassing the global average of 323 grams/day, but varies across states from 329 grams in Maharashtra to 1,283 grams in Punjab.
- Milk Yield:
- The average milk yield per animal stands at 8.55 kg/day for crossbred animals and 3.44 kg/day for indigenous animals.
- Punjab has the highest yield at 13.49 kg/day.
- Market Contribution:
- Around 63% of total milk production is marketed, with two-thirds in the unorganised sector and cooperatives playing a major role in the organised segment.
White Revolution 2.0: Objectives and Scope
- Milk Procurement Target:
- Dairy cooperatives procured 660 lakh kg/day in 2023-24;
- White Revolution 2.0 aims to increase this to 1,007 lakh kg/day by 2028-29.
- Cooperative Society Expansion:
- The initiative plans to expand dairy cooperatives, which currently operate in 70% of districts and cover 30% of villages.
- Targeting New Regions:
- New multipurpose dairy cooperative societies will be established in Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh to extend coverage in uncovered regions.
- Strengthening Existing Cooperatives:
- 46,000 existing cooperatives will be strengthened by improving milk procurement and testing infrastructure.
- Funding via NPDD 2.0:
- White Revolution 2.0 will be primarily funded through National Programme for Dairy Development 2.0(NPDD 2.0), with financial assistance provided for setting up village-level procurement systems and capacity-building.
Benefits of White Revolution 2.0
- Increased Milk Production:
- Aims to boost milk procurement by 50% by 2028-29, leading to increased availability of milk and dairy products.
- Empowerment of Dairy Farmers:
- Expands the coverage of dairy cooperatives, providing market access to more dairy farmers, especially in uncovered areas, ensuring fair pricing and stable income.
- Women’s Employment:
- The dairy sector already supports 8.5 crore livelihoods, with many women involved. White Revolution 2.0 will further enhance women’s participation, empowering them economically.
- Strengthening Dairy Cooperatives:
- Plans to set up 56,000 new dairy cooperatives and upgrade 46,000 existing cooperatives, improving the rural cooperative network and infrastructure.
- Enhanced Quality and Productivity:
- Introduces advanced milk procurement systems and testing infrastructure, ensuring better quality control and increased productivity.
- Livelihood Support:
- Contributes to rural employment, creating jobs and providing additional income sources for millions of rural households, especially in marginalised areas.
- Boost to Organized Dairy Sector:
- Expands the share of the organized sector in milk procurement, leading to better regulation, quality, and processing of dairy products.
- Sustainable Growth:
- The initiative will help ensure sustainable growth in the dairy sector, contributing to India’s food security and the economic well-being of rural communities.
Government Initiatives for the Promotion of Dairy Sector
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission: Launched in 2014, this initiative focuses on the conservation and development of indigenous breeds and the improvement of their genetic makeup.
- E-Pashu Haat: This is an e-market portal that connects breeders and farmers, providing quality, disease-free bovine germplasm.
- Pashu Sanjivni: This is an Animal Wellness Programme that provides animal health cards along with UID identification.
- National Animal Disease Control Programme: Launched in 2019, this programme aims to control and eradicate the Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis amongst livestock.
- Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): This fund aims to incentivize investments to establish dairy and meat processing and value addition infrastructure, as well as animal feed plants.
- National Dairy Development Board: Launched in 1965, this premier institution was established to accelerate the pace of dairy development on cooperative lines in the country.
- National Program for Dairy Development: This program aims to strengthen infrastructure for the production of high-quality milk, as well as for the procurement, processing, and marketing of milk and milk products.
Challenges and Areas for Improvement
- Regional Disparities:
- States like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Northeast India have less than 20% cooperative coverage, highlighting the need for further expansion.
- Milk Yield Variations:
- Significant yield differences persist across states, with West Bengal lagging behind at 6.30 kg/day, necessitating measures to improve productivity.
- Organised vs Unorganised Sector:
- The unorganised sector still dominates, and more efforts are required to increase the share of dairy cooperatives in the formal market.
- Market Fluctuations and Price Volatility:
- The lack of stable and remunerative prices for milk affects the income of dairy farmers, making it challenging for them to plan and invest in their operations.
- Quality Standards:
- Ensuring that products meet both domestic and international quality standards requires investments in quality control measures and adherence to hygiene practices
Way Forward for Addressing Challenges in White Revolution 2.0
- Expand Cooperative Coverage in Uncovered Regions:
- Targeted Expansion: Focus on states with low cooperative penetration like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Northeast by incentivizing cooperative formation and improving local infrastructure.
- Awareness and Training: Conduct outreach programs to educate dairy farmers in these regions about the benefits of cooperative membership.
- Boosting Milk Yield:
- Breed Improvement: Promote the use of high-yielding breeds and crossbreeding techniques in states with low productivity, such as West Bengal.
- Nutrition and Veterinary Care: Provide access to better feed, fodder, and veterinary services to improve animal health and milk yields across the country.
- Strengthening the Organised Dairy Sector:
- Increase Cooperative Share: Encourage dairy farmers in the unorganised sector to join cooperatives through financial support, access to market linkages, and incentives.
- Infrastructure Development: Set up modern milk procurement systems, chilling units, and storage facilities to increase the organised sector’s capacity to handle larger volumes.
- Price Stability and Income Security:
- Price Regulation Mechanisms: Develop mechanisms for stable and remunerative pricing of milk, such as minimum support prices (MSPs) or milk price stabilization funds.
- Market Linkages: Strengthen market access and reduce dependence on middlemen by building direct marketing channels for dairy farmers.
- Improve Quality Standards and Infrastructure:
- Upgrading Quality Control Measures: Invest in better testing facilities for milk and dairy products at cooperative and processing levels to meet both domestic and international quality standards.
- Training and Certification: Provide training on hygiene practices and introduce certification programsfor dairy farmers and cooperatives to ensure quality compliance.
- Technological Innovation:
- Digital Platforms: Leverage digital tools like mobile apps for monitoring milk quality, real-time updates on market prices, and access to veterinary services.
- Automation: Encourage automation in milk processing, testing, and procurement to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Conclusion
White Revolution 2.0 represents a comprehensive effort to modernize and expand India’s dairy sector. By leveraging cooperative societies, enhancing infrastructure, and focusing on employment, the initiative holds the potential to boost milk production, ensure food security, and empower rural populations.
Related PYQ
What are the main constraints in transport and marketing of agricultural produce in India? [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2020]
Practice Question
White Revolution 2.0 aims to expand the scope of India’s dairy sector through cooperatives. Discuss the potential benefits and challenges of White Revolution 2.0 in transforming the Indian dairy sector? [250 words]