Why agro-processing industries prefer to be located close to the sources of farm produce?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Perishability factor
Option (1) Proximity to source of power — Incorrect. Power decides the site of power-hungry industries such as aluminium, not of agro-processing.
Option (2) Government policies — Incorrect. Regional policies bring industries to backward areas; they do not tie agro-processing to the farms.
Option (3) Easy access to market — Incorrect. These units stay near the farms, not near the buyers, since the produce would spoil on the way.
Option (4) Perishability factor — Correct. Perishability keeps an industry close to its raw material. Fruits, vegetables and milk spoil quickly: carried a long way unprocessed, much of them would rot and the rest would lose quality. So agro-processing and dairy units are set up close to the sources of farm produce or milk, where the produce is processed while still fresh.
NCERT (2025-26): “Access to Raw Material Raw material used by industries should be cheap and easy to transport. Industries based on cheap, bulky and weight-losing material (ores) are located close to the sources of raw material such as steel, sugar, and cement industries. Perishability is a vital factor for the industry to be located closer to the source of the raw material. Agro-processing and dairy products are processed close to the sources of farm produce or milk supply respectively. Access to Sources of Energy Industries which use more power are located close to the source of the energy supply such as the aluminium industry.… Government Policy Governments adopt ‘regional policies’ to promote ‘balanced’ economic development and hence set up industries in particular areas. Access to Market The existence of a market for manufactured goods is the most important factor in the location of industries. ‘Market’ means people who have a demand for these goods and also have the purchasing power (ability to purchase) to be able to purchase from the sellers at a place.…” |