Textile Industry
A textile is the largest single industry in India and amongst the biggest in the world, accounting for about 20% of the total industrial production. It provides direct employment to around 20 million people. Textile and clothing exports account for one third of the total value of exports from the country. There are 1,227 textile mills with a spinning capacity of about 29 million spindles. While yarn is mostly produced in the mills, fabrics are produced in the power loom and handloom sectors as well. The Indian textile industry continues to be predominantly based on cotton, with about 65% of raw 3 materials consumed being cotton. The yearly output of cotton cloth was about 12.8 billion m about 42 billion ft. The manufacture of jute products 1.1 million metric tons ranks next in importance to cotton weaving.
Textile is one of India’s oldest industries and has a formidable presence in the national economy inasmuch as it contributes to about 14 per cent of manufacturing value-addition, accounts for around one-third of our gross export earnings and provides gainful employment to millions of people. They include cotton and jute growers, artisans and weavers who are engaged in the organized as well as decentralized and household sectors spread across the entire country.