Verghese Kurien

The Milkman of India: Verghese Kurien

Early Life & Education

• Born in 1921 in Kozhikode, Kerala, to a Syrian Christian family.
• Studied physics at Loyola College, Chennai, then mechanical engineering at the University of Madras.
• Turning Point: In 1947, he won a scholarship to study dairy engineering at Michigan State University, USA. He had no interest in dairy but took it to avoid military service.

The Trigger: A Humiliating Rejection

• In 1949, Kurien was sent to run a government creamery in Anand, Gujarat. He was bored and wanted to leave.
• The Spark: In 1946, local farmers led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had formed a cooperative to fight exploitation by the Polson dairy monopoly. Kurien met Tribhuvandas Patel, the cooperative's leader, who convinced him to stay.
• The Challenge: The government offered to build a milk powder plant, but the condition was that Polson would control it. Kurien refused, leading to a standoff.

Breakthrough: The Amul Model

• 1950s: Kurien and Patel launched the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union (Amul). Kurien designed a three-tier structure: village societies, district unions, and a state federation.
• Key Innovation: He introduced the 'Anand Pattern' – farmers owned the dairy, controlled procurement, and shared profits. This eliminated middlemen.
• The First Victory: In 1955, Amul launched its first milk powder plant, breaking Polson's monopoly. By 1960, Amul was India's largest dairy.

The White Revolution: Operation Flood

• 1965: Kurien was appointed chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). He launched 'Operation Flood' – the world's largest dairy development program.
• How it worked: Using European food aid (skimmed milk powder and butter oil), Kurien created a national milk grid. He sold the donated commodities in Indian cities and used the funds to build dairy infrastructure in villages.
• Result: India's milk production doubled in a decade, and by 1998, India became the world's largest milk producer.

Setback: The Battle with Multinationals

• 1990s: As India liberalized, global dairy giants like Nestlé and Unilever tried to enter the market. Kurien fiercely resisted, arguing that the cooperative model protected small farmers.
• The Crisis: In 1994, the Gujarat government attempted to dilute Amul's cooperative structure. Kurien threatened to resign, mobilizing farmers and politicians. He won, but the fight took a toll.

Personal Life & Politics

• Marriage: Kurien married Molly in 1950. She was a constant support, but he often prioritized work over family.
• Conflict with Government: Kurien frequently clashed with bureaucrats and politicians who wanted to control cooperatives. He famously said, "I am a thorn in the flesh of the government."
• Emotional End: In 2006, at age 85, Kurien was forced to retire from Amul after a legal dispute over his tenure. He felt betrayed by the very institution he built. He died in 2012, but his legacy endures.

Legacy

• Amul is now a ₹50,000 crore brand, with 3.6 million farmer members.
• Kurien's model has been replicated in other sectors and countries.
• He received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and the World Food Prize.

> "The only way to help the poor is to make them self-reliant." – Verghese Kurien