Maharashtra will set up nine textile parks in the northern cotton-growing regions of the state. The aim is to supplement farmers’ income through value-added products. Value addition -- from produce to fiber to fabric to fashion – is expected to help farmers get a good price for cotton. The parks will offer interest subvention subsidy on machinery from 20 to 25 per cent.

A special platform called Maitri brings 18 different departments on one platform. Anybody who wants to invest in the state can make a single presentation to all department heads and expect to get clearances in this platform.

The state has reserved 93 hectares of land in Yavatmal district for setting up a textile park. The park would ensure large scale employment to the youths of the region besides providing better avenues for farmers to garner the maximum benefit.

Basic infrastructure including supply of energy, water and provision for sewerage water treatment plant at the site would be provided. An electricity sub-station would also be set up to cater to the energy requirements of units that come up.

Rising costs in China can help India wrest a major chunk of China’s total textile and apparel market share. To do that India has to cut finance costs, ease land and environment clearances, focus on economies of scale, infrastructure, skill development, technology development and brand promotion.