The Cotton Association of India – CIA has said that the cotton production is estimated to be at 40.55 million bales during 2014-15 against about 35.5 million bales in the previous year. Addressing a conference in Mumbai, CAI President Dhiren Sheth said that cotton sector has taken rapid strides in acreage, production, consumption and export of cotton. He added that cotton acreage in India has increased to 12.65 million hectares during 2014-15 and India now has a share of 37 per cent of the world's total cotton acreage.Mr. Sheth however called for urgent action on the infrastructure front saying that with such a massive acreage, India requires a huge infrastructure to process the increased crop size of over 40 million bales. He called for an increase in irrigation facilities and adoption of scientific innovations and modern technologies to give a much needed fillip to the sector.