**Answer:**

**Operation Flood and its Objective**

Operation Flood, launched in 1970, was an Indian government endeavor targeted towards increasing dairy output in the country. It was the world's largest agricultural development program, also known as the "White Revolution," which aimed to transform India from a milk-deficient nation to one of the largest producers of milk in the world.

**Key Features of Operation Flood**

Operation Flood had several key features that contributed to its success:

1. **Formation of Dairy Cooperatives**: The program aimed to establish dairy cooperatives at the village level, which would collect milk from farmers and provide them with necessary inputs such as cattle feed, veterinary services, and artificial insemination. These cooperatives helped in organizing small-scale dairy farmers and improving their bargaining power in the market.

2. **Increasing Milk Production**: Operation Flood focused on increasing milk production by improving animal husbandry practices, promoting the use of high-yielding crossbred cows and buffaloes, and enhancing the availability of cattle feed and veterinary services. This led to a significant increase in milk production across the country.

3. **Strengthening Dairy Infrastructure**: The program also aimed to strengthen the dairy infrastructure by establishing milk collection centers, chilling plants, and processing units. This helped in reducing milk spoilage, improving milk quality, and ensuring a regular supply of milk to consumers.

4. **Market Development**: Operation Flood emphasized the development of a reliable and efficient milk marketing system. It involved the establishment of milk cooperatives at the district and state levels, which would collect milk from village cooperatives and market it effectively. This helped in ensuring fair prices for farmers and a steady supply of milk to consumers.

**Significance of Operation Flood**

Operation Flood had a significant impact on the Indian dairy sector and the overall economy of the country:

1. **Increase in Milk Production**: The program led to a substantial increase in milk production in India. From 22 million tonnes in 1970-71, milk production increased to 146 million tonnes in 2014-15, making India the largest producer of milk in the world.

2. **Improved Livelihoods**: Operation Flood helped in improving the livelihoods of millions of small-scale dairy farmers by providing them with a regular source of income and enabling them to access better agricultural inputs and services.

3. **Reduced Dependence on Imports**: The program reduced India's dependence on imports of dairy products. By increasing domestic milk production, it helped in meeting the growing demand for milk and milk products without relying on imports.

4. **Contribution to Rural Development**: Operation Flood played a crucial role in rural development by creating employment opportunities in the dairy sector, promoting entrepreneurship among farmers, and improving the overall socio-economic conditions of rural communities.

In conclusion, Operation Flood was an Indian government initiative aimed at increasing dairy output in the country. Through the establishment of dairy cooperatives, improvement in animal husbandry practices, and development of dairy infrastructure, the program successfully transformed India into the largest milk producer in the world and improved the livelihoods of millions of small-scale dairy farmers.

Ans is increasing dairy output