1. What is Manufacturing?
Manufacturing is the production of goods in large quantities after processing raw materials to turn them into more valuable products. People employed in these activities are part of the secondary sector. The economic strength of a country is measured by the development of its manufacturing industries.
- ✓Paper is manufactured from wood.
- ✓Sugar is manufactured from sugarcane.
- ✓Iron and steel are manufactured from iron ore.
- ✓Aluminum is manufactured from bauxite.
2. Importance of Manufacturing
The manufacturing sector is considered the backbone of development for a country. Here’s why it's so important:
- ✓Modernized Agriculture: Manufacturing industries help in modernizing agriculture by producing equipment like irrigation pumps and inputs like fertilizers.
- ✓Reduces Dependence on Agriculture: It creates jobs in the secondary and tertiary sectors, reducing over-reliance on agricultural income.
- ✓Fights Poverty and Unemployment: Industrial development is crucial for eradicating unemployment and poverty.
- ✓Reduces Regional Differences: Setting up industries in backward areas helps in their development.
- ✓Boosts Trade and Earns Foreign Money: Exporting manufactured goods expands trade and brings in foreign exchange.
- ✓Creates Prosperity: Countries that transform raw materials into a variety of finished goods are more prosperous.
Agriculture and Industry are Interlinked
They are not separate from each other; they move hand in hand. Industries depend on agriculture for raw materials, and they sell their finished products to farmers. In today's world of globalization, our industry needs to be more efficient and competitive.
3. Classification of Industries
Industries can be grouped or classified in different ways to understand them better.
On the Basis of Raw Materials Used
- ✓Agro-Based: Use agricultural raw materials (e.g., cotton, sugar).
- ✓Mineral-Based: Use minerals and metals as raw materials (e.g., iron and steel, cement).
According to Their Main Role
- ✓Basic or Key Industries: Their products are used as raw materials by other industries (e.g., iron and steel).
- ✓Consumer Industries: Make goods for direct use by consumers (e.g., sugar, toothpaste).
On the Basis of Capital Investment
A Small-Scale Industry is defined based on the maximum investment allowed on the assets of a unit (currently rupees one crore).
On the Basis of Ownership
- ✓Public Sector: Owned by the government (e.g., BHEL, SAIL).
- ✓Private Sector: Owned by individuals (e.g., TISCO, Bajaj Auto).
- ✓Joint Sector: Run jointly by the state and private individuals (e.g., Oil India Ltd.).
- ✓Cooperative Sector: Owned and operated by producers or suppliers of raw materials, workers, or both (e.g., sugar industry in Maharashtra).
Based on Bulk and Weight
- ✓Heavy Industries: Use heavy raw materials and produce heavy goods (e.g., iron and steel).
- ✓Light Industries: Use light raw materials and produce light goods (e.g., electrical goods).
4. Agro-Based Industries
Textile Industry
It holds a unique position in the Indian economy, contributing significantly to industrial production, employment, and foreign exchange. It is the only industry that is self-reliant and complete in the value chain, from raw fiber to finished garments.
Cotton Textiles:
In ancient India, cotton textiles were made with hand spinning. The first successful textile mill was established in Mumbai in 1854. Initially, the industry was concentrated in Maharashtra and Gujarat due to the availability of raw cotton, market, transport, and a moist climate. While spinning is still centralized, weaving is highly decentralized. India has world-class production in spinning, but our weaving supplies low-quality fabric.
Jute Textiles:
India is the largest producer of raw jute and jute goods. Most mills are located in West Bengal along the Hugli river. The first jute mill was set up near Kolkata in 1855. The industry's location is supported by proximity to jute areas, inexpensive water transport, cheap labor, and port facilities in Kolkata.
Sugar Industry
India is the second-largest world producer of sugar and the largest of gur and khandsari. Since sugarcane is bulky and its sucrose content reduces during transport, mills are located in sugarcane-growing states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The industry is seasonal, making it ideal for the cooperative sector. Recently, mills have shifted to southern and western states due to higher sucrose content in the cane and a longer crushing season.
5. Mineral-Based Industries
Iron and Steel Industry
This is a basic and heavy industry, as other industries depend on it for machinery. The production and consumption of steel are often regarded as an index of a country's development. Raw materials like iron ore, coking coal, and limestone are required. The Chhotanagpur plateau region has the maximum concentration of these industries.
Aluminum Smelting
This is the second most important metallurgical industry. Aluminum is light, resistant to corrosion, and a good conductor of heat. It is used in aircraft, utensils, and wires. The key factors for plant location are a regular supply of electricity and an assured source of bauxite at minimum cost.
6. Other Important Industries
Chemical Industry
India's chemical industry is fast-growing. Inorganic chemicals include sulphuric acid and soda ash. Organic chemicals include petrochemicals, used for synthetic fibers, plastics, and drugs.
Fertilizer Industry
This industry produces nitrogenous, phosphatic, and complex fertilizers. Potash is entirely imported. The industry expanded significantly after the Green Revolution.
Cement Industry
Essential for construction, this industry uses bulky raw materials like limestone, silica, and gypsum. The first plant was set up in Chennai in 1904.
Automobile Industry
Provides vehicles for transport. The industry has grown rapidly after economic liberalization and is located around major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai.
IT and Electronics Industry
Covers a wide range of products from televisions to computers. Bengaluru is the electronic capital of India. This industry is a major source of employment.
7. Industrial Pollution and Environmental Degradation
Industries contribute significantly to economic growth but also cause four main types of pollution: air, water, land, and noise.
- ✓Air Pollution: Caused by undesirable gases like sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide, and particulate matter from smoke.
- ✓Water Pollution: Caused by industrial wastes and effluents discharged into rivers, from industries like paper, chemical, and textile.
- ✓Thermal Pollution: Occurs when hot water from factories is drained into rivers, harming aquatic life.
- ✓Land and Soil Pollution: Dumping of industrial wastes makes the soil useless and can contaminate groundwater.
- ✓Noise Pollution: Unwanted sound from industrial machinery can cause stress and health problems.
8. Control of Environmental Degradation
It is crucial to control industrial pollution for sustainable development.
- ✓Controlling Water Pollution: Minimizing water use by reusing/recycling, harvesting rainwater, and treating industrial effluents before release.
- ✓Controlling Air Pollution: Fitting smokestacks with filters and precipitators, and using cleaner fuels like oil or gas instead of coal.
- ✓Controlling Noise Pollution: Using machinery with silencers and noise-absorbing materials.
- ✓Sustainable Development: The main challenge is to integrate economic development with environmental concerns. NTPC shows the way by adopting a proactive approach to preserving the natural environment.