Introduction to Secondary Activities

What Are Secondary Activities?

• Secondary activities involve the processing, assembling, and construction of raw materials into useful products.
• Examples:
  • Iron ore → Steel (Manufacturing)
  • Wood → Furniture (Construction)
  • Cotton → Textile (Industry)

Why Are Secondary Activities Important?

• Add Economic Value: Convert raw materials into valuable goods.
• Create Jobs: Factories and industries provide employment.
• Support Trade: Industrial goods like cars, steel, electronics dominate global trade.
• Urbanization: Industrial growth leads to development of cities and infrastructure.

Thus, secondary activities are crucial for economic growth and industrialization.

Types of Manufacturing Industries

Manufacturing industries are classified based on scale, production type, and raw materials used.

Small-Scale and Large-Scale Industries

• Small-Scale Industries (SSI):

  • Use simple tools and fewer workers.
  • Example: Handicrafts, pottery, weaving.

• Large-Scale Industries (LSI):

  • Use modern technology and large capital investments.
  • Example: Automobile, steel, textile factories.

Heavy and Light Industries

• Heavy Industries:

  • Require large investments and heavy machinery.
  • Example: Shipbuilding, cement, iron & steel industry.

• Light Industries:

  • Use less raw material and small machinery.
  • Example: Electronics, garments, food processing.

Agro-Based and Mineral-Based Industries

• Agro-Based Industries: Use agricultural products as raw materials.

  • Example: Cotton textiles, sugar mills, dairy processing.

• Mineral-Based Industries: Use minerals as raw materials.

  • Example: Iron & steel, cement, aluminum industries.

Factors Affecting Industrial Location

Industries are located in areas where they get maximum profit and efficiency. The main factors influencing industrial location are:

1. Raw Materials: Industries locate near raw material sources to reduce transport costs.
   • Example: Iron & steel industries in Jharkhand (India) near iron ore mines.
2. Energy Supply: Power-intensive industries require cheap electricity.
   • Example: Aluminum industries near hydropower stations.
3. Labor Availability: Factories need skilled and unskilled workers.
   • Example: IT industries in Bangalore (India) due to skilled labor.
4. Market Demand: Industries are located near urban centers where demand is high.
   • Example: Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) factories near cities.
5. Transport Facilities: Good road, rail, and port connectivity reduces costs.
   • Example: Mumbai and Chennai have major ports for exports.
6. Government Policies: Some governments provide tax benefits, subsidies, and infrastructure to encourage industrialization.
   • Example: Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in China and India.

Thus, industries prefer cost-effective, well-connected locations with access to raw materials, labor, energy, and markets.

Classification of Industries

Industries can be classified based on various factors:

1. Based on Raw Materials

• Agro-based (Textiles, Sugar, Dairy).
• Mineral-based (Iron & Steel, Cement, Petroleum).

2. Based on Ownership

• Private Industries: Owned by individuals or companies (e.g., Tata, Reliance).
• Public Industries: Owned by the government (e.g., Indian Railways).
• Joint Sector Industries: Owned by both government and private entities (e.g., Oil & Natural Gas Corporation – ONGC).

3. Based on Market Orientation

• Market-Oriented Industries: Located near consumers to reduce transport costs.
  • Example: Bakery, soft drink, electronics factories.
• Raw Material-Oriented Industries: Located near raw materials to minimize costs.
  • Example: Steel plants near iron ore mines.

4. Based on Product Type

• Consumer Goods: Directly used by people (e.g., clothes, food).
• Capital Goods: Used to produce other goods (e.g., machinery, tools).

Major Industrial Regions of the World

Industrial regions are areas with high industrial concentration, usually near raw materials, labor, and transport networks.

1. North America

• USA (Great Lakes Region): Automobile and technology industries.
• Silicon Valley (California): IT and electronics industries.

2. Europe

• Germany (Ruhr Valley): Coal and steel industries.
• United Kingdom (Midlands & London): Engineering and textile industries.

3. Asia

• China (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong): Electronics, steel, and automobiles.
• Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya): Automobile and shipbuilding industries.
• India (Mumbai-Pune, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru): IT, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.

Impact of Industrialization

Positive Effects of Industrialization

• Economic Growth: Increases GDP and trade.
• Employment Generation: Creates jobs in factories, services, and logistics.
• Urbanization: Leads to city expansion and infrastructure development.
• Technology Advancement: Encourages innovation in production.

Negative Effects of Industrialization

• Environmental Pollution: Industries release waste, chemicals, and greenhouse gases.
• Resource Depletion: Excessive mining and deforestation harm ecosystems.
• Health Hazards: Industrial waste causes water and air pollution, affecting human health.
• Economic Inequality: Industrialization benefits urban areas more, leading to rural-urban disparities.

Measures for Sustainable Industrial Growth

To ensure long-term industrial success without harming the environment, the following measures are needed:

1. Use of Clean Energy

• Industries should shift to solar, wind, and hydropower.
• Example: Germany’s push for renewable energy (Energiewende).

2. Pollution Control Measures

• Installing air and water filters in factories.
• Example: Japan has strict pollution control laws for industries.

3. Recycling and Waste Management

• Promoting recycling of industrial waste and reusing materials.
• Example: Sweden recycles almost 99% of its waste.

4. Decentralization of Industries

• Shifting industries from overcrowded urban areas to rural areas to reduce pollution.
• Example: India’s SEZs promote industries in less populated regions.

5. Government Policies

• Governments should encourage eco-friendly industrial practices through subsidies, laws, and incentives.

Conclusion

• Secondary activities involve manufacturing, construction, and energy production.
• Industries are classified by size, ownership, product type, and location.
• Major industrial regions include USA, Europe, China, Japan, and India.
• Industrialization has both benefits (economic growth, jobs) and challenges (pollution, inequality).
• Sustainable industrialization is necessary for future economic and environmental stability.