{"id":44816,"date":"2025-06-05T21:09:58","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T15:39:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=44816"},"modified":"2025-06-05T21:10:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T15:40:00","slug":"sustainability-seeds-india-textile-leadership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/05-06-2025\/sustainability-seeds-india-textile-leadership","title":{"rendered":"Seeds of Sustainability for India\u2019s Textile Leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As one of the world\u2019s largest textile manufacturing hubs, India faces challenges such as geopolitical tensions, fragmented supply chains, and price volatility, and demands sustainability for long-term global leadership.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the India\u2019s Textile Industry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India has been a major textile producer since ancient times, with its cotton and silk fabrics highly sought after in global markets.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It flourished during the <strong>Mughal era<\/strong>, with intricate weaving techniques and vibrant dyes becoming hallmarks of Indian textiles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, colonial rule disrupted traditional production, leading to a decline.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Post-independence<\/strong>, India focused on reviving its textile sector, establishing mills and promoting indigenous production.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Current Data and Industry Insights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It contributes <strong>2.3% to our GDP<\/strong>, 13% to industrial production, and 12% to exports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The industry employs <strong>over 45 million people <\/strong>(second largest employment generator, after agriculture), making it one of the largest employment generators.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India is the <strong>6th largest exporter of Textiles &amp; Apparel<\/strong> in the world, with <strong>$34.4 billion exports in FY 2023-24, <\/strong>and exports textiles to <strong>over 100 countries, with a 4.5% share in global trade.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s textile sector has a potential of <strong>$350 billion market <\/strong>and adding <strong>35 million new jobs by 2030.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sustainability Concerns in India\u2019s Textile Industry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Textile Waste:<\/strong> It accounts for <strong>over 5% of global landfill waste<\/strong>, and excessive water usage remains a pressing issue.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Additionally, the use of <strong>harmful chemicals<\/strong> like<strong> nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) in dyeing<\/strong> and processing poses health risks to workers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Carbon Footprint and Energy Use:<\/strong> The industry relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>While some companies are adopting solar rooftops and biomass energy, widespread adoption of clean energy solutions is still lacking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Waste Generation and Circularity Challenges:<\/strong> Textile waste accounts for a significant portion of global landfill waste.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>While cotton recycling and polyester recycling are gaining traction, India still struggles with pre- and post-consumer waste management.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of Sustainable Raw Material Sourcing:<\/strong> Conventional cotton farming involves pesticides and excessive water use, harming soil health.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Other Concerns in Textile Industry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>High Raw Material Costs: <\/strong>Fluctuating cotton, jute, and synthetic fiber prices, and heavily dependency on <strong>cotton and man-made fibers (MMF)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Outdated Manufacturing Infrastructure<\/strong>: Low adoption of automation and modern machinery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Competition from Global Markets<\/strong>: Strong competition from China, Vietnam and Bangladesh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skilled Labor Shortage: <\/strong>Workforce needs upskilling to meet industry demands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Supply Chain Issues: <\/strong>Logistics inefficiencies and export-import bottlenecks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limited Market Access: <\/strong>Trade barriers, high tariffs, and FTA limitations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strategic Opportunity For India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Regenerative Farming:<\/strong> It addresses concerns related to <strong>raw material sourcing, climate change, and soil degradation.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The government is actively exploring it with <strong>over one million hectares of farmland<\/strong> being considered for <strong>pilot projects<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In <strong>Maharashtra<\/strong>, over 6,000 farmers have joined the <strong>Regenerative Cotton Program<\/strong>, leading to higher yields, improved climate resilience, and reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Product Traceability:<\/strong> It signifies <strong>authenticity, brand responsibility, and global market relevance<\/strong>. According to the <strong>2023 Consumer Circularity Survey<\/strong>, <strong>37% of consumers<\/strong> prioritize traceability in purchase decisions.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Kasturi Cotton<\/strong> initiative enhances India&#8217;s textile branding globally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/12-05-2025\/fta-with-uk\"><strong>India-U.K. Free Trade Agreement (FTA)<\/strong><\/a> and <strong>EU regulations<\/strong> offer significant market potential by requiring transparent, traceable production systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India needs to harness <strong>AI-driven traceability technologies<\/strong> to stay ahead.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Product Circularity: <\/strong>India generates <strong>8.5% of global textile waste<\/strong>. <strong>Product Circularity <\/strong>can cut waste, extend product lifecycles, and reduce reliance on virgin materials. Circular design in products include:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Integrating sustainability across production stages: from fiber to packaging<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reengineering factory waste into new designs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting plastic-free and biodegradable solution<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Efforts Towards Sustainability<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Task Force: <\/strong>It was established by the <strong>Ministry of Textiles<\/strong> to drive sustainability discussions and implement initiatives.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It focuses on integrating environmental and social governance principles into textile production.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PM MITRA Parks Scheme:<\/strong> It aims to create world-class infrastructure for textile manufacturing.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These parks aim to promote sustainable production practices, including waste management and renewable energy adoption.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS):<\/strong> It supports textile manufacturers in upgrading their machinery to energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It helps reduce carbon emissions and improve production efficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kasturi Cotton Initiative: <\/strong>It ensures high-quality Indian cotton meets global environmental standards, to enhance traceability and sustainability.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It promotes <strong>ethical sourcing and transparency.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Technical Textiles Mission:<\/strong> It focuses on innovation in technical textiles, including eco-friendly materials and sustainable production techniques.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It aims to position India as a leader in sustainable textile solutions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To lead globally, the industry needs to move beyond greenwashing, embrace <strong>regenerative farming, <\/strong>build <strong>transparent supply chains, and <\/strong>prioritize <strong>product circularity.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strategic decisions taken today will determine whether India becomes a <strong>sustainable global textile leader<\/strong> tomorrow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Daily Mains Practice Question<\/strong><br><strong>[Q]<\/strong> How can India\u2019s textile industry balance sustainability with economic growth while ensuring long-term global leadership?<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/op-ed\/the-seeds-of-sustainability-for-indias-textile-leadership\/article69656550.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As one of the world\u2019s largest textile manufacturing hubs, India faces challenges such as geopolitical tensions, fragmented supply chains, and price volatility, and demands sustainability for long-term global leadership.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44816","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-editorial-analysis"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44816","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44816"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44816\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44817,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44816\/revisions\/44817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44816"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44816"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44816"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}