Question 1

Question 1(c)Give a geographical reason for each of the following:(i) Sugar mills are located close to sugarcane growing areas.(ii) Mumbai is known as the 'Cottonopolis of India'.(iii) The silk industry has a small market.

Accepted Answer

(i) Sugar mills are located close to sugarcane growing areas because sugarcane is a weight losing crop, i.e., its sucrose content goes on decreasing with time. Therefore, it is necessary to crush sugarcane within 24 hours of harvesting.(ii) Mumbai is known as the 'Cottonpolis of India' because Mumbai has become the most important centre of cotton textile in the country due to reasons like proximity to raw materials, favourable climatic conditions, good transport and port facilities, enough labour force, adequate capital, power and a huge market for cotton textiles.(iii) The silk industry has a small market because silk industry faces competition from artificial silk which is cheaper and better in quality. Moreover, the changes in prices of raw silk badly affect both the weavers and the silk industry.

Question 2

Question 1(d)(i) Mention two advantages of setting up a small scale industry.(ii) Give two points of difference between a public sector and a private sector industry.

Accepted Answer

(i) Two advantages of setting up a small scale industry are-Less capital is required.These industries make use of indigenous raw material.(ii) The differences are-Public SectorIndustryPrivate SectorIndustryThese industries are owned and managed by the Central Government or the State Government. They include public utility industries like railways, post & telegraph, oil refineries, heavy engineering industries, defence establishments, etc.These industries are owned and managed by an individual or group of individuals.For example, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), etc.For example, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Infosys, etc.

Question 3

Question 2(a)Name two by-products of the sugar industry. Give one use of each.

Accepted Answer

Two by-products of the sugar industry are-Bagasse, the leftover cane after crushing, is used for producing steam which is used as a source of power for sugar industry.Press mud is used for making wax, carbon paper and shoe polish.

Question 4

Question 2(b)Why is the sugar industry highly dispersed in India?

Accepted Answer

The sugar industry is highly dispersed in India because sugarcane is cultivated throughout the country. Hence, sugarcane industries are spread in the country near to the sugarcane fields.Also, the area under sugarcane cultivation is limited due to the pressure of food crops. Thus, the sugar factories are highly dispersed even in areas which have large percentage of land under sugarcane cultivation.

Question 5

Question 2(c)Give a geographical reason for each of the following:(i) Scanty rain leads to lower sugar output.(ii) India's troubled sugar crop would lead to increase in global price.(iii) Sericulture flourishes in Karnataka.

Accepted Answer

(i) Scanty rainfall affects the healthy growth of sugarcane, as the crop requires abundant water for proper development. Inadequate rainfall leads to stunted growth and produces a fibrous crop, resulting in a lower sugar output.(ii) India is the largest producer of sugarcane in the world and the second-largest exporter of sugar. If the sugar crop fails, production and exports reduce. This creates a shortage of sugar in the global market. As a result, the supply decreases while demand remains the same, leading to an increase in global sugar prices.(iii) Sericulture flourishes in Karnataka because Karnataka has favourable climate for rearing silkworms. Karnataka has established nurseries, silk farms and has licensed seed distributors to promote Sericulture.

Question 6

Question 2(d)Give three important reasons which have made Maharashtra the leading producer of sugar in India.

Accepted Answer

Three important reasons which have made Maharashtra the leading producer of sugar in India are-The maritime climate of Maharashtra is ideal for the cultivation of sugarcane.Availability of excellent transport facilities in relation to export markets.The sugarcane farms are managed by co-operative societies which have access to better facilities like better seeds, fertilisers, irrigation etc.

Question 7

Question 3(a)Mention any two features of the cotton textile industry in India.

Accepted Answer

Two features of the cotton textile industry in India are-Cotton textile industry directly or indirectly supports more than nearly 40% of the country's labour force.It is the oldest and the largest industry which is found in almost all the states of India.

Question 8

Question 3(b)Why have Mumbai and Ahmedabad emerged as the important cotton manufacturing centres?

Accepted Answer

Mumbai and Ahmedabad have emerged as the important cotton manufacturing centres because of the following reasons-Climatic conditions — The humid coastal climate favours the textile making without breaking the thread.Transport facilities — These states are well connected through rail and road links with cotton growing areas of Maharashtra and Gujarat and also through sea routes with the foreign markets.Proximity to raw material — The supply of raw cotton for the mills is supplied by the cotton producing areas of the Deccan Plateau that lie close to these mills.Port Facilities — Good port facilities facilitate import of capital goods, chemicals etc. and the export of finished goods.Labour — The states have enough labour force from within or nearby states.Capital — Both the states have easy access to capital and financial resources.Power — Power is supplied in Mumbai by the Tata Hydroelectric system while Ahmedabad gets its power from Ukai and Kakrapara hydroelectric projects.Market — There is a huge market for the cotton cloth in these states and in the southern states of the country because of the hot climate which prevails in these areas.

Question 9

Question 3(c)State any three problems faced by the cotton industry in India.

Accepted Answer

Three problems faced by the cotton industry in India are-Shortage of Raw Material — There is a shortage of raw material, particularly of long staple cotton.Shortage of Power — The mills are facing acute shortage of power. This leads to loss of man hours, low productivity and loss in the mills.Sick Industrial Units — The industry faces constant threat of sickness and consequent closure. These sick units require heavy financial investments for replacement and modernisation purposes.

Question 10

Question 3(d)What is sericulture? State any two problems faced by the silk industry.

Accepted Answer

The rearing of Silkworms for Silk production is known as Sericulture.Two problems faced by the silk industry are-Competition from artificial silk which is cheaper and better in quality.The changes in prices of raw silk badly affect both the weavers and the silk industry.

Question 11

Question 4(a)State any two geographical features favourable for setting an industry.

Accepted Answer

Two geographical features favourable for setting an industry are-Raw materials — The location of the industry is guided by the availability of raw material in a particular area.Transport — Good transport facilities are required to carry raw materials to the manufacturing units and finished products to the market.

Question 12

Question 4(b)Mysore is known for its soft, lustrous and durable silk. Murali is a silk weaver in Mysore. He does not want his children to follow his footsteps. What could be the reason for it?

Accepted Answer

Murali, who is deeply involved in this industry, may not want his children to follow his footsteps due to the problems being faced by the silk industry:Competition from artificial silk is the main problem faced by the Indian silk industry. Artificial silk is cheaper and better in quality.Import of better quality and cheaper raw silk from China is also detrimental for the Indian silk industry.The changes in prices of raw silk badly affect both the weavers and the silk industry.There is no systematic testing and grading of silk as in advanced countries like Japan.The industry needs modern power looms for increasing production.

Question 13

Question 4(c)Give a geographical reason for each of the following:(i) Sugarcane is a weight losing commodity.(ii) Uttar Pradesh has been relegated to second place in terms of sugar production.(iii) Export of sugar is being banned.

Accepted Answer

(i) Sugarcane is a weight losing commodity because its sucrose content goes on decreasing with time. Therefore, it is necessary to crush sugarcane within 24 hours of harvesting.(ii) Uttar Pradesh has been relegated to second place in terms of sugar production because of old mills, management and labour problems and shorter crushing period.(iii) India has restricted sugar exports due to a drop in domestic production caused by poor rainfall. The ban helps ensure enough sugar is available within the country, keeps prices stable, and supports essential uses like domestic consumption and ethanol production.

Question 14

Question 4(d)(i) Name the state having the largest production of non-mulberry silk.(ii) Name the type of silk available in these states: Assam and Bihar.

Accepted Answer

(i) Assam is the largest producer of non-mulberry silk in the country.(ii) Assam provides non-mulberry silk (tasar, eri and muga). Assam is also the only muga producing region of the country. Bihar provides tasar silk.

Question 15

Question 5(a) According to a newspaper report published in September 2023 India, the world's biggest sugar producer after Brazil, banned mills from exporting sugar during the current season October 1, 2023. This is the first sugar export curb in seven years. New Delhi allowed mills to export only 6.1 million metric tonnes of sugar during the last season, nearly half of the country's total shipment in 2021-22. Sugar output during the next 2024-25 season is likely to fall to 32 million metric tonnes from this year's 34 million tonnes due to the adverse impact of last year's patchy rains in Maharashtra and Karnataka states, the sources said.(i)	Is the government going to continue the ban on exports? Give reasons to support your answer.(ii) How would 'patchy rains' impact the crop?(b) What purpose does the ban on sugar export serve?(c) In the subsequent year (2024) there was heavy rainfall and flooding. What would be the impact of this on sugar production in 2025-26? Do you think the ban would be lifted? Why?(d) What would be the impact of this ban on the global market? Give reasons.

Accepted Answer

(a)(i) Yes, the government is likely to continue the ban on sugar exports aiming to stabilize domestic prices and maintain adequate supplies for domestic consumption and ethanol production, especially with potential lower production in the 2024-25 season.(ii) Patchy rains lead to uneven water distribution, which negatively affects crop development, resulting in poor yields and lower sucrose content.(b) The ban helps ensure enough sugar is available within the country, keeps prices stable, and supports essential uses like domestic consumption and ethanol production.(c) Heavy rainfall and flooding damages sugarcane crop and reduces the sucrose (sugar) content in them. This can lead to lower sugar production in 2025–26. If production remains low, the government may continue the export ban to ensure enough sugar is available for domestic use and to keep prices stable. The ban is likely to be lifted only when production improves.(d) India is the largest producer of sugarcane in the world and the second-largest exporter of sugar. Due to the ban, there is a shortage of sugar in the global market. As a result, the supply decreases while demand remains the same, leading to an increase in global sugar prices.

Question 16

Question 6(a)The cotton textile industry is the highest employment generator amongst the agro-based industries in India. The growth of this industry is mainly in the Gujarat-Maharashtra belt. Mr. Rahat, a rich industrialist wants to invest his money in this industry.(a) Which are the most important factors which have led Mr. Rahat to invest in the industry?(b) Where would you advise him to set up his unit?(c) List any three problems of this industry. How would you advise Mr. Rahat to tackle them?(d) Is there an alternate industry that can be set up in this belt? What is it? Compare the profitability of both.

Accepted Answer

(a) The most important factors which have led Mr. Rahat to invest in the industry are as follows:Close proximity to raw materialsFavourable climatic conditionsWell-developed transport facilitiesWell-developed portEnough labour forceAdequate capitalSufficient powerHuge market for cotton textiles.(b) I'd advise Mr. Rahat to set up his unit at Mumbai as it offers advantages like raw cotton availability, skilled labour, industrial infrastructure, and good port connectivity for export.(c) Three problems faced in this industry, and ways for Mr. Rahat to tackle them are given below:Shortage of raw material — Mr. Rahat can partner with local farmers through contract farming, support better seed varieties, and invest in sustainable cotton farming initiatives.Loss of foreign market — Mr. Rahat should can focus on high-quality cotton products, branding and diversification into blended fabrics. Also, adopt eco-friendly practices to appeal to global markets.Obsolete Machinery — Mr. Rahat should invest in modern, energy-efficient machinery and automation to improve productivity and product quality.(d) Yes, Sugar industry can be set up in Maharashtra.Profitability Comparison between Cotton Textile Industry and Sugar IndustryAspectCotton Textile IndustrySugar IndustryRaw MaterialRelies on cotton, which is seasonal and impacted by climate.Dependent on sugarcane, which is water intensive and sensitive to rainfall.InvestmentRequires high investment in machinery and skilled labour.Moderate capital required, often supported by cooperatives.Profit MarginModerate, but increases with exports, value-addition.Lower profit margin due to high production cost and pricing regulations.EmploymentHigh employment, especially in spinning, weaving and garmenting.Moderate employment, mostly in seasonal crushing and allied industries.Export PotentialHigh- Cotton garments and fabrics are major export earners.Moderate- Sugar exports fluctuate due to government policies and international prices.Cotton textiles have higher long-term profitability and export potential than Sugar industry. Hence, for long-term growth and better returns, Mr. Rahat should go ahead with cotton textiles.

Question 17

Question 19Assertion (A): India contributes to about 18 per cent to the world silk production. What is however, more noteworthy is the fact that India's requirement of raw silk is much higher than its current production at present.Reason (R): While sericulturists want imports of raw silk to be restricted to have better market for their produce, exporters want imports of cheaper raw silk so as to be able to export more silk products at competitive rates.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.A is true but R is false.A is false but R is true.

Accepted Answer

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.Explanation — While sericulturists want imports of raw silk to be restricted to have better market for their produce, exporters want imports of cheaper raw silk so as to be able to export more silk products at competitive rates. This is why India contributes to about 18 per cent to the world silk production.

Question 18

Question 20India has monopoly over golden yellow muga silk. Which state does it come from?West BengalAssamKarnatakaTelangana.

Accepted Answer

Assam

Question 19

Question 1Ramesh lived in a town far away from the city. He inherited a fortune from his uncle and started an agro-based manufacturing unit in his town. His manufacturing plant had all the modern equipment and produced quality products. Still his unit ran into losses. What could be the reasons for it?

Accepted Answer

Possible reasons for Ramesh's agro-based manufacturing unit running into losses despite having modern equipment and producing quality products could be:Insufficient Market Demand — The products may not have had enough demand in the market, leading to low sales and revenue.Distance from city — As Ramesh's manufacturing unit is located far away from the city and the market for his products maybe mainly in the cities so he might be incurring high transportation costs due to which his unit ran into losses.Intense Competition — Strong competition from established players in the industry could have made it challenging for Ramesh's unit to gain market share.High Cost Structure — Inefficient cost management, including high production costs and overhead expenses, could have impacted profitability.

Question 20

Question 2Your cousin who lives in Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh wants to start a sugar mill. He wants you to advice him on the feasibility of starting a sugar mill in the area, based on the location, availability of resources, transport and market for selling the manufactured products. What would you suggest to your cousin?

Accepted Answer

To assess the feasibility of starting a sugar mill in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, I would suggest the following:Location Advantage — Lakhimpur Kheri is known for its sugarcane cultivation, making it a favorable location for a sugar mill due to proximity to the raw material source.Availability of Resources — The area has abundant supply of raw material for the mill. Additionally, availability of water, electricity, and skilled labour should be considered.Transport Infrastructure — Evaluate the existing transport infrastructure to ensure smooth transportation of sugarcane and manufactured products to the market.Market Potential — Assess the demand and competition in the sugar industry. Consider factors like pricing, customer preferences and potential buyers.Government Policies and Support — Research the government policies, subsidies, and incentives available for the sugar industry in Uttar Pradesh.Financial Viability — Conduct a thorough financial analysis to determine initial setup costs, working capital requirements and profitability margins.Risk Assessment — Evaluate potential risks such as fluctuations in sugarcane prices, changes in government policies, market volatility, and environmental factors like weather conditions affecting crop yields.

Manufacturing Industries (Agro-Based)

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