Verghese Kurien

Architect of India's White Revolution transforming dairy farming

Known as 'Milkman of India', Verghese Kurien (1921-2012) orchestrated Operation Flood - world's largest agricultural development program making India top milk producer. His cooperative model empowered 15 million farmers, especially women, through Amul dairy brand.

Key achievements:

• Established 72,000 village cooperatives connecting farmers directly to markets
• Introduced bulk milk coolers and artificial insemination technology
• Created 'Anand Pattern' cooperative structure replicated nationally

Kurien's work increased per capita milk availability from 132g/day (1947) to 427g/day today. The film Manthan (1976), crowdfunded by farmers, documents this revolution. His legacy shows how social entrepreneurship can alleviate poverty through economic democracy.