. Industries It refers to the activities which converts the raw materials into finished products. This sector is called as the value addition sector. On the basis of the source of raw materials, Industries are classified into: .
Agro-based industries, . Forest-based industries and . Mineral-based industries. Agro based Industries These industries draw their raw materials from agricultural sector.
The following part discusses the agro based industries in India. a) Cotton Textile Industry Textile is a broad term which includes cotton, jute, wool, silk and synthetic fibre textiles. This sector in India is the second largest in the world. The first cotton textile mill was established at Fort Gloster near Kolkata in .
Traditional sectors like handloom, handicrafts and small power-loom units are the biggest source of employment for millions of people in rural and semi-urban areas. Currently, India is the third largest producer of cotton and has the largest loom arc and ring spindles in the world. At present, cotton textile industry is the largest organized modern industry of India. Ginning is the process of separating cotton seed from cotton.
The higher concentration of textile mills in and around Mumbai, makes it as “ Manchester of India ”. Presence of black cotton soil in India - Resources and Industries Maharastra, humid climate, presence of Mumbai port, availability of hydropower, good market and well-developed transport facility favour the cotton textile industries in Mumbai. The major cotton textile industries are concentrated in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Coimbatore is the most important centre in Tamil Nadu with mills out of its and called as “ Manchester of South India” .
Erode, Tirupur, Karur, Chennai, Thirunelveli, Madurai, Thoothukudi, Salem and Virudhunagar are the other major cotton textiles centres in the state. b) Jute Textiles Jute is a low-priced fibre used mainly for making package materials like gunny bags. Today jute is blended with cotton and wool to produce textiles. This is the second important textile industry in India after cotton textiles.