The decentralized nature of India’s cotton textile industry stems from a confluence of historical, geographical, and socio-economic factors. Historically, India has a rich tradition of textile production dating back centuries, with various regions specializing in different aspects of the craft. Geographically, the vast expanse of the country and the availability of raw materials like cotton in different regions have led to the emergence of numerous small-scale textile clusters. Additionally, socio-economic factors such as the presence of skilled labor, entrepreneurial spirit, and government policies supporting decentralized industries further contribute to the highly fragmented nature of the cotton textile sector in India.
Tag: Distribution of key natural resources.
Decoding the Question::
- In Introduction, try to start with the history of the cotton textile industry in India.
- In Body, discuss the factors responsible for the highly decentralized cotton textile industry.
- Conclude with India’s position globally manufacturing cotton and suggest a way forward.
Answer:
Cotton textile industry is one of the most important and one of the largest modernised industries in India. The cotton sector in India is the second most developed sector in the textile industry. India is the world’s largest producer of cotton, contributing 18% of the total production. 25% of the world’s cultivation area for cotton belongs to India, the highest in the world.
The cotton industry was largely concentrated in places like Maharashtra and Gujarat. Gradually after the 1920s various factors led to the decentralization of the industry.
Factors for Highly Decentralized Cotton Textile Industry in India:
- Earlier, inadequate number of raw materials debarred the decentralization of the textile industry. After the development of the railway, supply of raw material secured the decentralization of the textile industry.
- The emergence of hydro-electricity helped boost the production in areas such as Coimbatore, Madurai, etc.
- Labour cost played a significant role in decentralizing the cotton industries. As more and more industries opened up in smaller cities for cheap labour.
- Black soil is conducive for cotton production. South India has a vast area under black soil which is capable of producing cotton as raw material.
- Subsequently, Ahmedabad became one of the developed hubs of cotton production. It had an advantage of being able to manage the supply and demand chain. The investment poured from the rich Parsis and Gujrati to set up new cotton industries, helped this region become one of the major cotton producing centres.
Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Vadodara, and Surat became the important centres where textile industries were developed. Coimbatore, Salem, Tuticorin, Pondicherry became some of the emerging centres of textile industry. Due to this, India was able to export cotton of $6.3 billion in the year 2019, which is 11.8% of global cotton export. With the increasing demand of cotton produce, the decentralization of this industry was highly desired, and India is able to just manage that.
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