Written By Puja Bhardwaj
Odisha has recently emerged as India’s next textile powerhouse. The state has planned to build an apparel park with an investment of ₹1,200 crore. The purpose of this plan is to empower its manufacturing structure and also connect local industries with the fashion supply chains worldwide. It will support the entire textile process from raw fabric production to the final product ready for the market.
This development project is expected to gain major investments, create career opportunities, and also help local people working in the garment manufacturing industry. Additionally, it will promote sustainable production practices and strengthen India’s presence in global fashion markets.
With this initiative, Odisha will drive remarkable economic growth and also play a crucial role in shaping the future of India’s textile and apparel industry. As per the report, Odisha is set to generate around one hundred thousand job opportunities by 2030 with six world-class parks in textiles, apparel & footwear.
The primary reasons behind Odisha’s growth include:
Strength in raw materials: Odisha has a lot of natural and synthetic fibres that provide a stable raw material supply. It is one of the major cotton producers with great output consistency. On the synthetic side, the state has huge manufacturing capacity in synthetic fibres.
Competitive Prices: Odisha’s textile clusters have the benefit of large-scale and integrated operations that support maintaining low costs and high productivity. This cost is low because of the cheap labour. The textile and apparel industry is the second-largest employer after agriculture. The moderate level allows competitive prices.
Sustainable and traceable textiles: Traceability and sustainability have become a major necessity for international fashion brands, and Odisha is at the forefront. The Kasturi Cotton India project provides a branded name and traceability of quality Indian cotton. Farmers and ginners register the cotton batches that allow buyers across the world to trace the origin of the fibre to the fabric.
The dyeing and processing units are enhancing effluent-treatment facilities, and sector associations work with organisations that encourage responsible cotton farming. Combined, these initiatives position Odisha as a viable sourcing partner to brands focused on ethical supply chains.
Global Demand for Indian Textiles: The demand for Indian textiles has continuously increased in the international markets, and Odisha has gained a solid part of this demand. Data says almost half of the Indian textile and apparel industry is exported to the US and the EU. The expansion was notable across cotton textiles, clothing, and household goods.
MSMEs and Skilled Workforce: The solid MSME skilled workforce is a key characteristic of the textile ecosystem and the robust MSME base. Almost the entire industry capacity is offered by MSMEs in small towns and traditional weaving centres. This cluster network offers flexible production, rapid processing, and instant access to shared processing facilities.
Besides, the country has a large labour force, with a large percentage of women constituting a large percentage of the workforce, mainly in the garment and handloom segments.
Overall, the rise of Odisha as a textile powerhouse is driven by the solid raw-material base, mass production, economies of scale and an efficient labour force. The industry is upgrading its sustainability and compliance needs to meet the latest industry needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which textile is famous in Odisha?
Habaspuri fabrics are mostly popular in Odisha; these are mostly tribal-based fabrics. Sarees and Stoles (Dupattas) are the popular product categories in the State. The product range offered here is well embellished with diverse motifs seen in nature. Sarees are generally crafted in cotton and silk fabrics, and Dupattas are made of cotton.
What is the textile subsidy in Odisha?
The government has taken a solid decision to boost employment cost subsidies under the Odisha Technical Textile & Apparel Policy (OATTP) to boost the monthly subsidy for men from ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 and for women from ₹6,000 to ₹7,000.
