Question

“Although cotton textile industry was influenced by the availability of raw cotton, it has tended to be market oreinted in the recent past.” Explain with examples.

Answer 1

Although the cotton textile industry initially developed in cotton-growing areas like Maharashtra and Gujarat due to the easy availability of raw cotton, it has now become increasingly market-oriented.

• Closer to consumers: Modern textile units prefer to be near large urban markets to quickly supply finished goods.
• Export-oriented units: Proximity to ports like Mumbai and Chennai helps in exporting textiles.
• Availability of skilled labor and infrastructure: Cities offer better facilities for design, stitching, packaging, etc.
• Examples:
  • Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata have become major centres for readymade garments, even though they are far from cotton fields.
  • Ludhiana is a major hosiery and textile centre, not located in a cotton-growing region.