New Delhi : Milk production in the country is expected to increase by over 4 per cent to 127.29 million tonnes in the current fiscal. Government sources said that Milk output in 2010-11 was 121.84 million tonnes. India is the largest producer and consumer of milk in the world.

Meanwhile, with an aim to boost milk production, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced launching of a 2,242 crore rupees project with World Bank assistance to improve productivity in the dairy sector. It is estimated that the country would require 180 million tonnes of milk by 2020.

Currently, the country has to rely on imports, particularly in summers to meet its domestic milk requirement. Export of milk and milk products and casein products has been banned since February 18, 2011, to shore up its domestic availability.