Previous Year Question
Tamil Nadu is a leading producer of mill-made cotton yarn in the country. What could be the reason?
Black cotton soil is the predominant type of soil in the State.
Rich pool of skilled labour is available.
Which of the above is/are the correct reasons?
Only 1
Only 2
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is incorrect.
Black soil is not the predominant soil of Tamil Nadu.
According to the soil classification provided by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the State’s area consists of:
Red soils—39.34%
Brown soils—37.89%
Black soils—16.38%
Grey soils—3.50%
Mixed soils—2.03%
Alluvial soils—0.86%
Thus, black soil occurs only over a limited portion of the State and is not Tamil Nadu’s predominant soil.
Cotton-yarn production is an industrial process. The cotton need not be produced within the same State because raw cotton can also be procured from other States.
Statement 2 is correct.
Tamil Nadu has a long-established tradition of spinning and textile manufacturing.
A dense concentration of spinning mills, machinery, workers and ancillary industries developed in and around Coimbatore.
The long presence of spinning mills created a skilled workforce experienced in yarn production, machine operation, quality control and machinery maintenance.
Therefore, the availability of skilled labour is a relevant reason for Tamil Nadu’s leading position in mill-made cotton-yarn production.