Economy and Infrastructure

Maharashtra is one of the states of India which has a booming economy which has the support of a rock solid infrastructure. Out of all the state of the country, Maharashtra has the largest economy with a Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) of over US$ 35.29 billion in 2003-04. The state has contributed for 20% of the total investment made by the state. Out of all the Foreign Direct Investment received by the country Maharashtra accounts for 17%.

The economy and infrastructure of the state has flourished considerably since the economic policies of the 1970s. Moreover the governments of the state have also contributed immensely by supporting the development and growth of the economy and infrastructure of the state. Since the agriculture is the mainstay of the state, it has been given the importance it deserves. The main food crops of Maharashtra are mangoes, grapes, bananas, oranges, wheat, rice, jowar, bajra, and pulses. Cash crops include groundnut, cotton, sugarcane, turmeric, and tobacco. The total irrigated area which ahs been used for crop cultivation is 33, 500 square kilometers.

The economic infrastructure of the state includes the airports, roads, railways, power, telecom and ports. The social infrastructure includes education and training, health services and tourism.

Industries

Maharashtra is the most industrialized state in India with a contribution of 13% towards the national economy. Maharashtra has a booming economy with a Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) of over US$ 35.29 billion in 2003-04. The state has contributed for 20% of the total investment made by the country. Maharashtra accounts for 17% of the state's Foreign Direct Investment. More than 60% of the population of Maharashtra is involved in agriculture and other professions which are indirectly Related to agriculture. Chemical and allied products, electrical and non-electrical machinery, textiles, petroleum and allied products are the main industries in Maharashtra.

Animal Husbandry

Animal Husbandry plays a very important part of the agriculture in Maharashtra. Cattle rearing for milk and milk products, leather and flesh are an important occupation for most of the people living in the state. The agricultural activities in most of the states are still dependent on agriculture. Animal husbandry plays a very important part in the rural economy.

Since animal husbandry is included in the state list, the responsibility of taking care of the cattle belongs to the state. The schemes are Related to sheep development, poultry, piggery, fodder development and livestock health.

Financial Hub of the Country

Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra, has been given the name of the financial capital of the country. The gross domestic product of the state is Rs2, 71, 406 crore for the year 2001 - 2002 which accounts for 13% of the national income. Maharashtra is a major industrial hub of the country with booming industries like the textiles, automobiles and chemicals.

Mumbai has a concentration of industries like the chemical industry, the cotton industry, manufacturing, electricity, electrical machinery, transport equipment. Along with the large scale industries there are certain small scale industries like the handloom, power loom, dyeing and printing, blacksmithing, carpentry, pricks and tiles manufacturing, soap making.

Chemical Industries

The chemical industry in Maharashtra is among the main industries which has an important contribution to the economy of the state. There are many categories of the chemical industries in Maharashtra. They are:

Agrochemicals: agrochemicals include fertilizers which are used for better cultivation of crops. The companies which manufacture agrochemicals are United Phosphorus Limited, Intertrade Exim Aarti Industries Limited Sai Group India and so on .

Inorganic chemicals: the companies which manufacture inorganic chemicals are basically involved in the production of expanded perlite, silica, expanded verm, mica-phlogophite/ muscovite, zeolite and dry pigments, feldspar potash & soda, chemicals, phosphates, acetates, perfumery chemicals and other industrial chemicals. Some of the companies which are involved in manufacturing these chemicals are Highland International, Westman Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., Mangalam Drugs & Organics Limited.

Petrochemicals: this sector involves the production of emulsifying wax, petroleum jelly, bees wax, liquid paraffin, emulsifying wax and microcrystalline wax. Indian Commercial Co. Ltd., Wax India Musk & Fragrance.

Other chemicals: companies like Spectrum Chemicals, Mumbai, K. K. Chemical Industries, Oceanic Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. produce other types of chemicals like calcium hydro chloride, tin based paper coating system, amino fabric softener, silicone grease etc.

Polymers: polymers include rubber, alpha picolinic acid, rubber chemicals, organic pigments and fillers and the companies which produce such chemicals are K K Chemical Industries Oceanic Laboratories Pvt. Ltd.

Last Updated on 02/01/2013