Cotton Textile Industry in India

The cotton industry in India has been considered to be the second most developed in the textile industry of India
following the man-made textile. India is the largest producer of cotton and the cotton industry of India is one of
the fastest-growing sectors. About 25 percent of the world’s area under cultivation is under India and includes
states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
About 4.5 crore people in India have been employed in cotton textile industry of India.

Cotton is one of the most highly sought commodities which has been traded since ancient times. The presence of
cotton textile industries can be seen since 1818 AD. The areas of the most important cotton textile include 4
regions:

Western region.

Southern region.

Northern region.

Eastern region.

Types of Cotton Textiles

There are various types of cotton textiles that are produced in India. These include:

1. Khadi: Khadi is a hand-woven fabric made from cotton that is typically used for clothing. It is also
sometimes referred to as “homespun cloth”.
2. Calico: Calico is a plain-weave cotton fabric that is often printed with patterns. It is commonly used for
making garments, bedding, and other household items.
3. Muslin: Muslin is a finely-woven cotton fabric that can be either plain or patterned. It is often used for
making dresses, shirts, and other garments.
4. Denim: Denim is a sturdy cotton twill fabric that is typically blue in color. It is most commonly used for
making jeans, but can also be used for other garments such as shirts and jackets.
5. Chambray: Chambray is a lightweight cotton fabric with a plain weave that can be either solid-colored or
patterned. It is often used for making shirts, dresses, and other garments.

Significance of Cotton Textile Industry in India

India is ranked as the second-largest cotton producer with the largest cotton-growing area in the world. It has the
advantage of low-cost cotton sourcing and the average wage rate in India is about 50-60% lower than in developed
countries, which benefits India in case of global outsourcing trends.
The industry has been investing in technology and is also trying to expand its capacity for the strengthening of
relationships with other sectors. Design and capabilities also have come to help Indian companies for
strengthening their relationship with global players.

Cotton Textile Industry in India Map

Let us discover the rich tapestry of the Cotton Textile Industry of India through detailed map, highlighting major
production hubs and weaving traditions across the nation.

Current Position of Cotton Textile Industry in India

India’s largest organized sector in modern times is cotton textile and employs about 16 percent of the country’s
capital and over 20 percent of industrial labour. At present, there are 1,719 textile mills in India and tens of
thousands of small factories.

Exports from Cotton Textile Industry in India

Cotton is one of the major exports from India and cotton yarns, clothes, etc are among the most important
exports. Garments from India are well known around the world and so readymade garments export increased
drastically from 1960. Exports from India cover USA, Russia, United Kingdoms, Sri Lanka, and so forth countries.

Challenges of Cotton Textile Industry in India

The following are the important challenges of the cotton textile industry in India :

1. Scarcity of Raw Cotton: Since the partition, the Indian cotton textile industry has suffered as cotton
growing areas went to Pakistan.
2. Outdated Machinery: Around 60-70% of the machinery in India is 2 to 3 decades old.
3. Erratic Power Supply: Power supply to cotton mills is erratic and insufficient.
4. Low Labour Productivity: A worker in India has two looms on average as compared to 30 looms in Japan
and 60 looms in USA.
5. Strikes: Frequent strikes can be seen in the cotton textile industry.
 6. Tough competition: Stiff competition can be felt in the Indian cotton mill industry in terms of handloom
and power loom.

Conclusion

The Indian cotton textile industry is one of the largest in the world, with a production capacity of over 5 million
tonnes. In recent years, the industry has been facing challenges due to increased competition from cheaper
imports, particularly from China. The Indian government has been providing support to the industry through
various measures such as subsidies and duty-free imports of raw cotton. In spite of these measures, the industry is
struggling to compete with Chinese manufacturers who have scale advantages and lower costs.

Looking ahead, the future of the Indian cotton textile industry depends on its ability to increase productivity and
efficiency, while reducing costs. The industry will also need to focus on developing new products and applications
for cotton that can compete with other synthetic fibers.