Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The ‘White Revolution’ (Operation Flood), launched in 1970 by Dr. Verghese Kurien, transformed India from a milk-deficient nation to one of the largest milk producers globally. This success was achieved through a unique blend of technological interventions (cross-breeding of cattle), institutional reforms (establishment of AMUL and NDDB), and market linkages (creating a nationwide milk grid). However, India’s agricultural landscape is diverse, and replicating the White Revolution’s model requires careful consideration of sector-specific challenges and opportunities. This answer will discuss the scope for replicating the principles of the White Revolution in other agricultural sectors, analyzing its feasibility and potential impact.
White Revolution – A Recap
Operation Flood was implemented in three phases (1970-1985, 1985-1995, and 1995-2000). Its core strategies included:
- Institutional Development: Establishing strong dairy cooperatives like AMUL, empowering farmers through collective bargaining.
- Technological Advancement: Introducing high-yielding crossbred cattle, improving animal feed quality, and adopting modern processing and packaging techniques.
- Market Linkages: Creating a nationwide milk grid connecting producers with consumers, reducing intermediaries, and ensuring fair prices.
- Financial Support: Providing subsidies and credit facilities to farmers and cooperatives.
While highly successful, the White Revolution also faced criticisms regarding its focus on crossbred cattle (leading to indigenous breed neglect) and regional disparities in benefits.
Scope of Replication – Sector-wise
1. Oilseeds Revolution (Yellow Revolution)
The principles of institutional support and market linkages can be applied to oilseed production. Strengthening oilseed cooperatives, providing quality seeds, and establishing efficient procurement and processing infrastructure can reduce import dependence. The Technology Mission on Oilseeds and Edible Oils (1986) attempted this, but sustained institutional support is crucial.
2. Pulses Revolution (Green Revolution – Second Phase)
Similar to dairy, pulses suffer from low productivity and fragmented supply chains. Establishing pulses producer organizations, investing in research and development for high-yielding varieties, and creating storage infrastructure can boost production. The Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur, plays a vital role in this regard.
3. Horticulture (Rainbow Revolution)
Horticulture offers significant potential for replication. Establishing farmer producer organizations (FPOs) specializing in fruits and vegetables, promoting post-harvest management techniques (cold storage, grading, packaging), and linking farmers directly to markets (e-NAM) can enhance profitability. The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) aims to achieve this.
4. Animal Husbandry (Beyond Dairy) – Poultry, Goatery, Fisheries
The success of dairy cooperatives can be extended to other livestock sectors. Establishing similar cooperatives for poultry, goatery, and fisheries can improve breed quality, provide access to credit, and facilitate market access. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) focuses on fisheries development.
5. Spice Production
Spices, a high-value agricultural commodity, can benefit from a ‘White Revolution’ style approach. Strengthening spice farmer cooperatives, promoting quality control and certification (e.g., GI tags), and establishing direct marketing channels can increase farmer incomes and enhance India’s export competitiveness.
Challenges to Replication
- Sectoral Differences: Each sector has unique characteristics, requiring tailored strategies. What worked for dairy may not directly translate to pulses or oilseeds.
- Land Ownership Patterns: Fragmented landholdings pose challenges for collective farming and infrastructure development.
- Infrastructure Deficiencies: Lack of adequate storage, transportation, and processing facilities hinders market access.
- Institutional Weaknesses: Weak cooperatives, bureaucratic hurdles, and lack of political will can impede progress.
- Climate Change Impacts: Increasing climate variability poses risks to agricultural production, requiring climate-resilient strategies.
- Market Volatility: Fluctuations in commodity prices can impact farmer incomes and discourage investment.
| Sector | Key Challenges | Replication Strategies |
|---|---|---|
| Oilseeds | Low productivity, import dependence | Strengthening cooperatives, quality seeds, procurement infrastructure |
| Pulses | Fragmented supply chain, low yields | Producer organizations, R&D, storage infrastructure |
| Horticulture | Post-harvest losses, market access | FPOs, cold storage, e-NAM |
Conclusion
Replicating the success of the White Revolution across other agricultural sectors is feasible, but requires a nuanced and context-specific approach. Focusing on strengthening farmer institutions, investing in technology and infrastructure, and creating efficient market linkages are crucial. Addressing the challenges related to land ownership, climate change, and market volatility is also essential. A sustained commitment from the government, coupled with active participation from farmers and the private sector, is vital to unlock the full potential of India’s agricultural sector and ensure food security and farmer prosperity.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.