GS1 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): Agro Based Food Processing | Geography for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1:Discuss the factors for localisation of agro-based food processing industries of North-West India. (UPSC GS1 Mains)

Answer:

Introduction 
The agro-based industry depends on the raw material produced by the agricultural sector. Itincludes industries related to textiles, sugar, paper and vegetable oil. The products comprisemostly consumer goods. Agro- based industry is important from the point of view ofcontribution to industrial production and employment generation. 

Factors affecting location of Agro-based food processing Industry in North-west India: 

• Location of port facilitated import of capital goods, chemicals, etc., and the export offinished goods. 
• In North- west India Mumbai got progressively well connected through rail and roadlinks with cotton growing areas of Gujarat and Maharashtra in the interior. 
• Availability of raw cotton, market, transport including accessible port facilities,labour, moist climate, etc. contributed towards its localisation. This industry hasclose links with agriculture and provides a living to farmers, cotton boll pluckers andworkers engaged in ginning, spinning, weaving, dyeing, designing, packaging,tailoring and sewing. 
• Development of chemical industry around North-West India made available thenecessary inputs. 
• Availability of capital and financial resources helped the industry grow. 
• Availability of Cheap labour for the industry. 
• Inexpensive water transport, supported by a good network of railways, roadwaysand waterways to facilitate movement of raw material to the mills. 
• India stands second as a world producer of sugar. In recent years, there is a tendencyfor the mills to shift and concentrate in the western states, especially inMaharashtra; this is because the cane produced here has higher sucrose content.The cooler climate also ensures a longer crushing season. Moreover, thecooperatives are more successful in these states. 

Challenges

• Agribusiness is characterized by raw materials that are mostly perishable, variable inquality and not regularly available. 
• The sector is subject to stringent regulatory controls on consumer safety, productquality and environmental protection. Traditional production and distribution methods are being replaced by more closelycoordinated and better planned linkages between agribusiness firms, farmers, retailers and others in the supply chains. 

Conclusion 

Agro-based industries have to set up at rural areas where raw material may be availablein plenty – helps in the up-liftment of the rural economy. It provides rural population anopportunity for employment. Generates income and thereby improve economiccondition of people – which in turn creates potential for demand based industries. Thus,several factors govern the location of an Industry. But we have to remember that these factorsare dynamic in nature. We can’t say that an industry will always remain in a particular place.Availability of new raw-materials, improvement in technology, development of new areas etc.influence the localization or location of industries.