(a) Explain the importance of manufacturing industry in the Indian economy.

(i) Manufacturing sector is considered the backbone of development in general and economic development in particular.

(ii) Manufacturing industries help in modernising agriculture,

(iii) They reduce the heavy dependence of people on agricultural income by providing them jobs in secondary and tertiary sectors.

(iv) Industrial development is a precondition for eradication of unemployment and poverty from our country. This was the main philosophy behind public sector industries and joint sector ventures in India.

(v) Establishment of industries in tribal and backward areas aimed at bringing down regional disparities.

(vi) Export of manufactured goods expands trade and commerce, and brings in much needed foreign exchange.

(vii) Countries that transform their raw materials into a wide variety of finished goods of higher value are prosperous.

(viii) India’s prosperity lies in increasing and diversifying its manufacturing industries as quickly as possible.

(b) Explain the inter-relationship between agriculture and industry.

(i) Agriculture and industry are not exclusive of each other. They move hand in hand.

(ii) The produce of agriculture like sugarcane, tea, jute etc are used by industries extensively as raw material.

(iii) The agro-industries in India have given a major boost to agriculture by raising its productivity.

(iv) Similarly, the industrial sector depends on the agriculture for raw materials.

(v) Industries sell their products such as irrigation pumps, fertilisers, insecticides, pesticides, plastic and PVC pipes, machines and tools, etc. to the farmers.

(vi) Thus, development and competitiveness of manufacturing industry has not only assisted agriculturists in increasing their production but also made the production processes very efficient.