Operation Greens is an important government scheme aimed at ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their agricultural produce while consumers get essential vegetables at reasonable rates. The scheme was launched by the Government of India to reduce price fluctuations in agricultural products, especially Tomatoes, Onions, and Potatoes (TOP). These three vegetables are widely used in Indian households and often experience sudden rises and falls in prices.

The scheme was introduced on the lines of the successful Operation Flood, which transformed India’s dairy sector and led to the White Revolution. Through Operation Greens, the government aims to create a strong supply chain for fruits and vegetables, improve storage facilities, encourage food processing, and increase farmers’ income.

What is Operation Greens?

Operation Greens is a central government scheme designed to stabilize the prices of tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. The main goal is to protect farmers from losses caused by sudden price crashes and to protect consumers from high market prices.

The scheme focuses on improving agricultural marketing by connecting farmers directly with consumers and industries. It promotes Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), food processing units, agricultural logistics, and modern storage systems.

Under this scheme, various organizations such as FPOs, cooperatives, companies, self-help groups, food processors, and agricultural federations can receive financial assistance from the government.

The scheme also supports the development of agricultural markets and links them with the electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform to create a more efficient and transparent marketing system.

Why Was Operation Greens Needed?

Agriculture plays a major role in India’s economy. However, farmers often face serious challenges when selling their produce.

When the production of vegetables increases significantly, market prices usually fall because there are not enough storage facilities. Farmers are forced to sell their produce at very low prices to avoid spoilage. On the other hand, when production decreases, prices rise sharply, affecting consumers.

Another major issue is the large number of intermediaries between farmers and consumers. As a result, farmers often receive only a small portion of the final retail price paid by consumers.

Operation Greens was introduced to address these problems by improving storage, transportation, processing, and marketing systems.

Inspiration from Operation Flood

Operation Greens was inspired by Operation Flood, one of India’s most successful agricultural development programs.

Operation Flood was launched by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) during the 1970s. It transformed India from a milk-deficient country into the world’s largest milk producer. The program established a nationwide milk grid, strengthened dairy cooperatives, and improved milk production and distribution.

Due to the success of Operation Flood, the government decided to apply similar strategies to the fruit and vegetable sector through Operation Greens.

Comparison Between Operation Flood and Operation Greens

Feature	Operation Flood	Operation Greens
Sector	Dairy	Fruits and Vegetables
Launch Period	1970s	2018
Main Product	Milk	Tomato, Onion, Potato
Nodal Agency	NDDB	Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Objective	Increase milk production	Stabilize prices and improve farmer income
Outcome	White Revolution	Strengthening agricultural value chains

What is e-NAM?

The Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is a nationwide online trading platform for agricultural commodities.

It connects Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) markets across India and allows farmers to sell their produce through a transparent electronic bidding process.

Benefits of e-NAM

Better price discovery for farmers.
Increased market access.
Reduced role of middlemen.
Transparent transactions.
Creation of a unified national agricultural market.

What is APMC?

Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) are statutory bodies established by state governments.

Their main function is to regulate the buying and selling of agricultural produce in designated market yards. Farmers bring their produce to these markets, where traders purchase it through auctions or other approved methods.

The integration of APMC markets with e-NAM helps improve transparency and efficiency in agricultural trade.

Objectives of Operation Greens

The scheme has several important objectives aimed at improving the agricultural sector.

1. Better Income for Farmers

The scheme seeks to improve the income of farmers by helping them receive better prices for their produce.

2. Price Stabilization

Operation Greens aims to reduce sudden fluctuations in the prices of tomatoes, onions, and potatoes.

3. Strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations

The government supports the development of FPOs so that small farmers can collectively market their products and gain stronger bargaining power.

4. Reducing Post-Harvest Losses

A significant portion of vegetables is lost after harvest due to inadequate storage and transportation facilities. The scheme focuses on reducing these losses.

5. Development of Agro-Logistics

Efficient transportation systems help move produce quickly from farms to markets and processing units.

6. Encouraging Food Processing

The scheme promotes the establishment of food processing facilities that can convert agricultural produce into value-added products.

7. Market Intelligence System

A real-time information network helps collect data on demand, supply, and prices, enabling better planning and decision-making.

Strategies Under Operation Greens

The scheme follows both short-term and long-term strategies.

Short-Term Price Stabilization Measures

These measures are designed to handle immediate price fluctuations.

The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) acts as the nodal agency for implementing these measures.

The government provides a subsidy of up to 50% for:

Activity	Purpose
Transportation of TOP crops	Moving produce from surplus areas to deficit areas
Storage facilities	Preventing wastage and stabilizing prices

These measures help farmers avoid distress sales and ensure continuous supply to consumers.

Long-Term Integrated Value Chain Development

Long-term measures focus on building a sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

Capacity Building of FPOs

Farmer Producer Organizations are trained and supported to improve management and marketing skills.

Quality Production

Farmers are encouraged to adopt modern agricultural practices to improve the quality of produce.

Post-Harvest Infrastructure

The scheme supports the creation of:

Collection centers
Sorting facilities
Grading units
Packaging centers

Storage Facilities

Modern warehouses and cold storage units help preserve produce for longer periods.

Agri-Logistics Development

Efficient transportation networks reduce delays and minimize losses.

Marketing Infrastructure

The scheme strengthens market linkages between producers, processors, retailers, and consumers.

Digital Platforms

Online platforms help manage demand and supply while improving market transparency.

Challenges in Implementing Operation Greens

Although the scheme has significant potential, several challenges affect its implementation.

Diverse Nature of Vegetables

Unlike milk, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes have many varieties. They are grown in different climates and seasons, making storage and marketing more complex.

Limited Storage Technology

Long-term storage technologies for vegetables are still developing and can be expensive.

High Energy Costs

Cold storage and transportation systems require significant energy, increasing operational costs.

Small Organized Market

A large portion of agricultural trade still takes place through traditional channels. Expanding organized markets requires time and investment.

Lack of a Dedicated Institutional Framework

Operation Flood had the support of NDDB, a strong institutional structure. Operation Greens does not yet have a similar nationwide institution dedicated solely to its implementation.

Infrastructure Gaps

Many rural areas still lack adequate roads, warehouses, and processing facilities.

Benefits of Operation Greens

The successful implementation of Operation Greens can provide several benefits.

Benefits for Farmers

Better prices for produce.
Reduced losses after harvest.
Improved access to markets.
Increased income.
Stronger bargaining power through FPOs.

Benefits for Consumers

Stable prices of essential vegetables.
Better quality products.
Continuous supply throughout the year.

Benefits for the Economy

Growth of the food processing industry.
Creation of rural employment.
Improved agricultural infrastructure.
Reduction in food wastage.

Way Forward

For Operation Greens to achieve its full potential, several steps are necessary.

Strengthening Supply Chains

Major production centers should be directly connected with major consumption centers through efficient transportation networks.

Expanding Food Processing

At least one-fourth of the produce should be processed to reduce wastage and improve value addition.

Improving Storage Infrastructure

More cold storage facilities and modern warehouses should be developed across the country.

Promoting Farmer Producer Organizations

FPOs should receive training, financial support, and market access to strengthen their role in agricultural marketing.

Encouraging Private Investment

Private companies can help develop logistics, processing units, and storage facilities through public-private partnerships.

Use of Technology

Digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and market intelligence systems can improve production planning and price forecasting.

Operation Greens represents a major effort by the government to transform India’s agricultural marketing system. By improving storage, transportation, processing, and market linkages, the scheme can reduce price fluctuations, increase farmers’ income, and ensure affordable prices for consumers. If implemented effectively, it can play a significant role in strengthening India’s agricultural economy and creating a more efficient farm-to-market system.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Operation Greens?

Operation Greens is a government scheme that aims to stabilize the prices of tomatoes, onions, and potatoes while increasing farmers’ income.

2. When was Operation Greens launched?

The scheme was launched in 2018 by the Government of India.

3. Which crops are covered under Operation Greens?

The scheme initially focused on Tomatoes, Onions, and Potatoes (TOP).

4. What is the main objective of Operation Greens?

Its main objective is to ensure fair prices for farmers and stable prices for consumers.

5. Which organization implements price stabilization measures?

The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) acts as the nodal agency.

6. How does Operation Greens help farmers?

It provides support for transportation, storage, food processing, market access, and value chain development.

7. What is the connection between Operation Greens and e-NAM?

The scheme supports linking agricultural markets with e-NAM to improve transparency and market access.

8. Why is Operation Greens important?

It helps reduce post-harvest losses, stabilizes prices, increases farmers’ income, and strengthens agricultural infrastructure.