MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES [Agro-based Industries]

Agro-based Industries 

Cotton, jute, silk, woollen textiles, sugar and edible oil, etc. industries are  based on agricultural raw materials.

Textile Industry: The textile industry occupies unique position in the Indian economy, because it contributes significantly to industrial production, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings. 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.

Cotton Textiles: In ancient India, cotton textiles were produced with hand spinning and handloom weaving techniques. After the 18th century, power-looms came into use.  Our traditional industries suffered a setback during the colonial period because they could not compete with the mill-made cloth from England.

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

In the early years, the cotton textile industry was concentrated in the cotton growing belt of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Availability of raw cotton, market, transport including accessible port facilities, labour, moist climate, etc. contributed towards its localisation.  This industry has close links with agriculture and provides a living to farmers, cotton boll pluckers and workers engaged in ginning, spinning, weaving, dyeing, designing, packaging, tailoring and sewing. The industry by creating demands supports many other industries, such as, chemicals and dyes, packaging materials and engineering works. While spinning continues to be centralised in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, weaving is highly decentralised to provide scope for incorporating traditional skills and designs of weaving in cotton, silk, zari, embroidery, etc. India has world class production in spinning, but weaving supplies low quality of fabric as it cannot use much of the high quality yarn produced in the country . Weaving is done by handloom, powerloom and in mills. The handspun khadi provides large scale employment to weavers in their homes as a cottage industry .

Why did Mahatma Gandhi lay emphasis on spinning yarn and weaving khadi?

Why is it important for our country to keep the mill sector loomage lower than power loom and handloom?

India exports yarn to Japan.  Other importers of cotton goods from India are U.S.A., U.K., Russia, France, East European countries, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and African countries. We have a large share in the world trade of cotton yarn. Our spinning mills are competitive at the global level and capable of using all the fibres we produce. The weaving, knitting and processing units cannot use much of the high quality yarn that is produced in the country. There are some large and modern factories in these segments, but most of the production is in fragmented small units, which cater to the local market. This mismatch is a major drawback for the industry. As a result, many of our spinners export cotton yarn while apparel/garment manufactures have to import fabric.

Suppose that yarn is sold at Rs. 85 per kg.  If it is sold as a trouser it fetches Rs 800 per kg. Value is added at every stage from fibre to yarn to fabric and to garment.

Why is it important for us to improve our weaving sector instead of exporting yarn in large quantities? Although, we have made significant increase in the production of good quality long staple cotton, the need to import is still felt. Power supply is erratic and machinery needs to be upgraded in the weaving and processing sectors in particular. Other problems are the low output of labour and stiff competition with the synthetic fibre industry .

Jute Textiles 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.

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).

Factors responsible for their location in the Hugli basin are: proximity of the jute producing areas, inexpensive water transport, supported by a good network of railways, roadways and waterways to facilitate movement of raw material to the mills, abundant water for processing raw jute, cheap labour from West Bengal and adjoining states of Bihar, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. Kolkata as a large urban centre provides banking, insurance and port facilities for export of jute goods.

Challenges faced by the industry include stiff competition in the international market from synthetic substitutes and from other competitors like Bangladesh, Brazil, Philippines, Egypt and Thailand. However, the internal demand has been on the increase due to the Government policy of mandatory use of jute packaging. To stimulate demand, the products need to be diversified. The main markets are U.S.A., Canada, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, U.K. and Australia.  The growing global concern for environment friendly, biodegradable materials, has once again opened the opportunity for jute products.

Sugar Industry India stands second as a world producer of sugar but occupies the first place in the production of gur and khandsari. The raw material used in this industry is bulky, and in haulage its sucrose content reduces. The mills are located in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. Sixty per cent mills are in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. This industry is seasonal in nature so, it is ideally suited to the cooperative sector. Can you explain why this is so? In recent years, there is a tendency for the mills to shift and concentrate in the southern and western states, especially in Maharashtra, This is because the cane produced here has a higher sucrose content. The cooler climate also ensures a longer crushing season. Moreover, the cooperatives are more successful in these states. Major challenges include the seasonal nature of the industry, old and inefficient methods of production, transport delay in reaching cane to factories and the need to maximise the use of baggase.

AGRO BASED INDUSTRIES

Very Short Answers:-

1.Name the city of Karnataka which has woolen textile industries.

Ans. Bangalore

2.Name the leading centre of woolen textile industry in Punjab.

Ans. Ludhiana

3.Name the industry which acts as a nodal industry for synthetic textiles.

Ans. Petroleum refineries

Long Answers:-

1.Differentiate between agro based industry and mineral based industry.

Ans. Agro based industries

 (1) Industries which are dependent on agriculture to obtain their raw materials are called agro based industries.

(2) For example, cotton textiles, jute textiles, sugar industry, etc.

Mineral based industries 

(1) Industries which are dependent on mineral resources to obtain their raw materials are called mineral based industries.

(2) For example, iron and steel industry, cement industry, aluminum industry,etc.

2.Why is textile industry second largest after agriculture in India? Explain the reasons

Or

 textile industry occupies a unique position in Indian economy.” Support the statement with appropriate arguments.

 Ans. Textile industry is the second largest after agriculture due to the following reasons:

(1) Textile industry contributes significantly to industrial production (about 14 per cent).

(2) It generates more employment (35 million persons directly).

(3) Its foreign exchange earnings are about 24.6 per cent.

(4) It contributes 4 per cent to our GDP.

(5) It is the only industry in the country which is self-reliant.

3.”Many of our spinners export cotton yarn while apparel manufactures have to import fabric.” Explain this statement with appropriate reasons.

 Ans. Many of our spinners export cotton yarn while apparel manufactures have to import fabric due to the following reasons:

(1) In India only spinning sector has received a lot of attention.

(2) The weaving, knitting and processing units have not been able to use high quality yarn that is produced in the country

(3) Our modern factories have to be upgraded to use this high quality yarn.

(4) We have to improve our weaving sector for manufacturing high quality fabrics.

4.Describe any five problems faced by cotton textile industries in India.

Ans. (1) A major loophole is its huge fragmentation in industry structure, which is led by small-scale companies.

(2) The industry veterans portray the present productivity of factories at half to as low as one-third of levels, which might be attained.

(3) Machinery is obsolete. It needs to be upgraded in the weaving and processing sectors in particular.

(4) There is stiff competition with the synthetic fiber industry which is available comparatively in a cheaper rate.

 (5) Power supply is erratic.

5.Why have the demands of jute products increased internally as well as globally? Explain any two reasons.

Ans. (1) The demands of jute products increased internally due to the Government policy of mandatory use of jute packaging.

 (2) The demand of jute products has also increased globally due to environment friendliness.

(3) The global concern for environment friendly, biodegradable materials has opened the opportunity for jute products.

6.Describe any three problems which are being faced by the jute industry in India.

Or

 Highlight any three challenges faced by jute industry.

Ans. The three major challenges before jute industry of India are as follows:

(1) Stiff competition with Bangladesh, Brazil, Philippines, Egypt and Thailand in the International market.

(2) There is competition with synthetic fiber that is cheaper.

(3) To stimulate demand, the products of jute have to be diversified.

 (4) There is also a concern about increasing productivity and improving the quality of jute products.

7.Why is jute textile industry mainly concentrated in Hugh basin? Explain three reasons for the same.

Or

Why is jute industry concentrated in West Bengal? Explain any three reasons.

Ans. Jute textile industry is mainly concentrated in Hugh basin because:

(1) Jute producing areas are nearer to Hugli basin.

(2) There is good network of rivers which provide inexpensive water transport and abundant water supply for jute processing.

 (3) Good network of railways and roadways facilitate the supply of raw materials to the mills and finished goods to the market.

(4) Cheap labor is available from West Bengal and adjoining states of Bihar, Odessa and Uttar Pradesh.

(5) Kolkata is a large urban centre which provides banking, insurance and port facilities for the export of jute goods.

8.How has the great importance of the cotton textile industry for the Indian economy? Explain with examples.

Or

 How does the cotton textile industry occupy a unique position in the Indian economy? Explain with any three examples.

 Ans. (1) Cotton textile industry has close links with agriculture and provides a living to farmers and cotton boll puckers.

(2) It also supports workers engaged in ginning, spinning, and weaving, dyeing, designing packaging, tailoring and sewing.

(3) The industry by creating demands support many other industries, such as chemicals and dyes, mill stores, packing materials and engineering works.

9.Why is cotton textile industry concentrated in Maharashtra and Gujarat? Give any three reasons.

Ans. (1) Maharashtra and Gujarat states have the maximum extent of cotton textile growth.

 (2) Reasons for the concentration of cotton textile industry in these states are:

(i) Availability of raw materials: Due to the favorable soil type and other climatic conditions, cotton is grown in a vast area in these states. So, raw materials are available in plenty

(ii) Transport: These states are well-connected to the rest part of the country by rail and mad. Also, they have many large ports from where the textile products can be easily exported.

 (iii) Market: Though, they have locally available big markets, they also enjoy good transport facilities that enable their reach to the national and international markets.

(iv) Labor: Although, they have locally available cheap labor force, they are supported by migrant laborers from the northern states.

(v) Moist climate: For cotton textile, moist climate is a must. These states have favorable climatic conditions.

10.What challenges are faced by the jute textile industry in India? Mention the mien objectives of National Jute Policy, 2005.

Or

Mention the various measures taken by the government to boost the production of jute goods.

Ans. (1) Challenges faced by the jute industry in India:

(i)There is stiff competition in the international market from synthetic substitutes.

(ii) Competition from other competitors like Bangladesh, Brazil, Philippines, Egypt and Thailand.

 (2) Steps taken by the government to stimulate the demand of jute:

(i ) The government’s policy of mandatory use of jute in packaging increased the internal demand.

(ii) National Jute Policy 2005, was formulated with the objective of increasing productivity, improving quality, ensuring good prices to the jute farmers and enhancing yield per hectare.

11.Write any five characteristics of sugar industry of India.

Ans. (1) India stands second in the world as producer of sugar but occupies the first place in the production of guru and khan sari.

(2) In 2010-11, there were over 662 sugar mills in the country

 (3) These mills were located in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat along with Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.

(4) This industry is seasonal in nature.

(5) In recent years, there is a tendency for the mills to shift to southern and western states.

(6) The sucrose content is higher in the sugarcane of south India.

 (7) The cooler climate of southern India also ensures a longer crushing season.

(8) Most of the mills of south India are in cooperative sector.

12.Highlight any three challenges faced by sugar industry.

Ans. Three major challenges faced by sugar industry in India are :

(1) The seasonal nature of the industry

(2) Old and inefficient method of production.

(3) Transport delay in reaching cane to the factories.

(4) Need to maximize the use of biggest.

13.’Give reasons as to why the ideal location of sugar mills is near sugarcane producing areas.’ Support the statement with reasons.

 Ans. (1) The raw material used in sugar industry i.e., sugarcane is bulky, weight losing and perishable.

(2) If there is a delay in transportation, its sucrose content reduces.

 (3) To minimize the transportation cost.

14.Why is there a tendency for the sugar mills to shift and concentrate in the southern and western states in India? Explain any three reasons.

Or

“In recent years, there has been a tendency to establish sugar industry in Southern states instead of Northern states.” Give any three reasons.

 Ans. There is a tendency for the sugar mills to shift and concentrate in the southern and western states of India due to the following reasons :

(1) The sugarcane produced in the southern and western states has a higher sucrose content.

(2) The cooler climate ensures a longer crushing season.

 (3) Most of the sugar mills of the area are under the cooperative sector. Regular supply of raw material is available here. Moreover, cooperatives are more successful in these areas.

(4) More government attention for sugarcane production.

 (5) Better port facility in southern and western states.