What do you understand by a dairy enterprise? Explain briefly how Operation Flood has helped farmers in income generation.

A dairy enterprise refers to a business or operation involved in the production, processing, and distribution of milk and dairy products. This includes activities such as dairy farming (raising dairy cattle or buffalo for milk), milk processing (pasteurization, packaging), and distribution of dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese, and butter.

Operation Flood, also known as the White Revolution, was a dairy development program implemented in India by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) during the 1970s and 1980s. Operation Flood aimed to transform India from a milk-deficient nation to one of the largest milk producers in the world by:

1. Organizing dairy cooperatives to empower farmers and enhance their bargaining power.
2. Establishing milk collection networks and chilling centers to improve milk quality and reduce spoilage.
3. Providing technical assistance, veterinary care, and training to dairy farmers.
4. Creating market linkages and promoting value addition in the dairy sector.

Operation Flood significantly boosted farmers' incomes by ensuring fair prices for milk, reducing middlemen, and facilitating direct access to markets, thereby transforming the socio-economic status of millions of dairy farmers across India.