Verghese Kurien's Dairy Revolution Sparks Lasting Impact

By John Pranay (Editor)

India's dairy revolution, sparked by social entrepreneur Verghese Kurien, has left a lasting impact on the country's agricultural sector. Born in 1921, Kurien's life took a dramatic turn when he joined the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union in Anand, Gujarat, in 1949. The region, once deficient in milk, is now the world's biggest producer of this essential food product. Kurien's innovative approach to dairy engineering and cooperative management transformed the lives of millions of small farmers, ensuring fair prices and regular payments for their buffalo milk.

Verghese Kurien's journey began when he was posted to Anand, Gujarat, as part of his government scholarship. Initially, he had no intention of staying, but the challenges faced by small milk producers under the control of private traders caught his attention. Kurien teamed up with Tribhuvandas Patel, a Gandhian social activist, and Harichand Megha Dalaya, a fellow dairy engineer, to develop a viable process for spray-drying buffalo milk. This breakthrough, achieved by the mid-1950s, laid the technological foundation for Amul and India's self-reliance in dairy.

• 1949: Kurien joins the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union in Anand, Gujarat.

• 1950s: Kurien and his team develop a viable process for spray-drying buffalo milk.

• 1979: Kurien applies cooperative principles to oilseeds, challenging entrenched trading networks.

• 1980s: The Dhara brand is launched, connecting farmers directly to consumers and driving a rise in domestic oilseed production.

• 1979: The Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) is founded.

Kurien's work had a significant humanitarian impact, particularly on small farmers who were trapped in an exploitative system. By giving them direct access to markets through cooperatives, the Amul model ensured fair prices and regular payments. This approach not only improved the lives of farmers but also contributed to India's self-sufficiency in dairy. Kurien's commitment to cooperative principles extended beyond dairy, as he applied the same principles to oilseeds, challenging entrenched trading networks.

Kurien's legacy extends beyond India's dairy revolution. His commitment to social entrepreneurship and cooperative management has inspired a new generation of leaders. The Amul model, which has become a benchmark for dairy cooperatives worldwide, has shown that small-scale farmers can thrive when given access to markets and fair prices. Kurien's work also highlights the importance of narrative in driving social change. His involvement in India's first large-scale crowdfunding experiment for a film on the cooperative movement demonstrates the power of storytelling in mobilizing support for social causes.

As India continues to grow as a major player in the global dairy market, Kurien's legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of social entrepreneurship and cooperative management. The Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), founded by Kurien in 1979, continues to train professionals to think big and act at scale. The Dhara brand, launched in the late 1980s, remains a testament to Kurien's commitment to connecting farmers directly to consumers.

Kurien's life and work suggest that the pace of change in India's agricultural sector has been rapid, particularly in the post-independence era. The country's transformation from a milk-deficient nation to the world's biggest producer of this essential food product is a testament to the power of social entrepreneurship and cooperative management. However, Kurien's legacy also highlights the need for continued innovation and adaptation in the face of changing market conditions and consumer preferences. This suggests that India's agricultural sector will continue to evolve, driven by the principles of social entrepreneurship and cooperative management that Kurien championed.

Assessment: Bullish.

1. Verghese Kurien and the power of social entrepreneurship — https://www.livemint.com/opinion/online-views/verghese-kurien-social-entrepreneurship-india-dairy-revolution-amul-11766145518928.html

Methodology: This analysis combines real-time data aggregation from manually selected global sources with advanced AI synthesis, engineered to provide neutral and data-driven insights.