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Agro Based Industries: Cotton, Textile & Sugar Industry, Impact on Economy

December 9, 2023 2787 0

Raw Material Perspectives in Mineral, Chemical, Forest, and Agro Based Industries

On the basis of the raw materials used, the industries are classified as: (a) Agro based; (b) mineral based; (c) chemical based; (d) forest based: and (e) animal based. By examining industries based on their inputs or raw materials, we gain insights into the intricate web connecting economic sectors, resource availability, and overall industrial dynamics. 

This article delves into the various industries shaped by their reliance on specific inputs or raw materials, examining their role, significance, and impact on global economic landscapes.

Agro based Industries 

  • A Spectrum of Major Agro-Processing Industries: Major agro-processing industries are food processing, sugar, pickles, fruits juices, beverages (tea, coffee and cocoa), spices and oils, fats and textiles (cotton, jute, silk), rubber, etc. 

 Classification of Industries

Nourishing Progress: Unveiling the Impact of Agro-Processing on Global Food Dynamics

  • Agro-Processing Evolution: Agro processing includes canning, producing cream, fruit processing and confectionery
    • While some preserving techniques, such as drying, fermenting and pickling, have been known since ancient times, these had limited applications to cater to the pre-Industrial Revolution demands.
    • Nowadays, food processing has become significant with evolving technologies of food value enrichment, agribusiness etc. 

Agro-factories:

Agri-business is commercial farming on an industrial scale often financed by business whose main interests lie outside agriculture, for example, large corporations in tea plantation business. Agri-business farms are mechanised, large in size, highly structured, reliant on chemicals, and may be described as ‘agro-factories’.

 

POINTS TO PONDER:

Food processing can be used to add value to the raw products related to agriculture, dairy, poultry, etc. It can be used to counter not only food security challenges but also to increase farmer’s income, thereby reducing their suicide rates.

 

Textile Industry

  • Fabricating Prosperity: The textile industry contributes significantly to industrial production, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings
  • A Self-Reliant Powerhouse: It is the only industry in the country, which is self-reliant and complete in the value chain i.e., from raw material to the highest value added products (Refer Figure).

Value addition in textile industry

Value addition in textile industry

Cotton Textile: The Fabric of India

  • Evolution of Indian Textiles: 
    • Hand Spinning and Handloom: In ancient India, cotton textiles were crafted through hand spinning and handloom weaving techniques
    • Powerlooms: However, after the 18th century, power-looms were introduced. 
    • Machine Made Cloth: During the colonial period, the traditional industries faced challenges as they couldn’t compete with the machine-made cloth from England.

Do You Know?

The first successful textile mill was established in Mumbai in 1854.

 

  • Geographical Foundations: Initially, the cotton textile industry was concentrated in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
    • In these states, factors like the availability of raw cotton, markets, transportation, labour, and a suitable climate favoured its localization. 
  • Textile Industry and Livelihoods: This industry is closely linked with agriculture and provides livelihoods to various individuals involved in different

Do You Know?

The two world wars were fought in Europe, India was a British colony. There was a demand for cloth in U.K. hence, they gave a boost to the development of the cotton textile industry.

 

  • stages like ginning, spinning, weaving, dyeing, designing, packaging, tailoring, and sewing.
  • Decentralized Expertise: While spinning remains centralised in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.
    • Weaving is highly decentralised to incorporate traditional skills and designs in fabrics like cotton, silk, zari, and embroidery. 
    • The handspun khadi industry provides extensive employment to weavers in their homes as a cottage industry.

Distribution of cotton, woollen and silk industries

Distribution of cotton, woollen and silk industries

The Golden Fiber: Jute Textiles Unraveling India’s Industrial Landscape

  • Jute Production in India: India is the largest producer of raw jute and jute goods and stands at second place as an exporter after Bangladesh.
    • Most of the mills are located in West Bengal, mainly along the banks of the Hugli river, in a narrow belt.

Do You Know?

The first jute mill was set up near Kolkata in 1855 at Rishra. After Partition in 1947, the jute mills remained in India but three-fourth of the jute producing area went to Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan).

 

Sugar Making in India: From North to South, a Sweet Journey

  • Sweet Success: India ranks second in global sugar production, but it takes the top spot in the production of gur and khandsari.
  • Geographic Distribution of Sugar Mills: Sugar mills are situated in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh.
    • Uttar Pradesh and Bihar collectively house about sixty percent of these mills.
  • Shifting Belts: In recent years, the mills have shifted in the southern and western states, especially in Maharashtra because the cane produced here has a higher sucrose content.

Also Read: Exploring the Foundations: A Comprehensive Insight into Mineral Based Industries

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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