SOLAPUR

Solapur district, located in Maharashtra, has established itself as a significant player in the industrial landscape of the state, ranking fourth in terms of industrialization. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has developed a 216-hectare industrial area in Solapur, equipped with essential infrastructure to support various industries. This area is home to a diverse range of businesses focused on products such as towels, chaddars, textiles, cement, sugar, sarees, wall hangings, agricultural equipment, clothing, and camshafts.

Solapur is known for producing Solapur chadars (cotton blankets) and towels. The handloom and power loom sectors provide employment, with industrial areas like Akkalkot Road, MIDC, and Hotgi Road housing textile units. The district has a significant number of powerloom industries.

The district has cooperative and private sugar mills involved in sugar production, ethanol generation, and cogeneration of electricity using bagasse. Notable sugar factories include Shri Siddheshwar Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd., Balaji Sugar Mills, and Vitthal Cooperative Sugar Factory.

The dairy sector includes operations from companies such as Mahananda Dairy, Govind Milk and Milk Products, and Sant Krupa Dairy. Dairy products like milk, curd, ghee, and butter are supplied to other regions.

Solapur produces oilseeds like groundnuts, safflower, and sunflower. Oil mills in the region process these crops into edible oils and oil cakes.

Pomegranate cultivation is prominent in the district, with exports to various markets. The region also grows grapes, jowar (sorghum), and jaggery. Some food processing units manufacture fruit pulp, dehydrated vegetables, and packaged snacks.

Several enterprises in the MIDC areas are engaged in manufacturing automobile spares, gears, and machinery parts, supplying components to industries in other cities.

The NTPC Solapur Super Thermal Power Station is an electricity-generating facility in the district. There are also solar energy projects in development.

The 1977 Solapur Gazetteer also states that cottage industries were crucial for Solapur’s economy, offering jobs to different communities.

The tanning industry was a major occupation in Solapur, primarily undertaken by Dhors, Mahars, and Mangs. Key centers included Solapur, Malshiras, Barshi, Mohol, and Akkalkot.

The Chambhar community traditionally engaged in leatherworking, mainly producing footwear. Solapur, Barshi, and Sangola were the main hubs. Leather was sourced locally and from cities like Mumbai, Madras, and Kanpur.

Wool weaving was prevalent in villages like Balawadi, Sangola, and Mahud, employing around 700 workers by 1961. The Sanagar and Dhangar communities specialized in weaving, while women participated in wool spinning.

The Mang community engaged in rope-making, primarily in Solapur, Barshi, and Pandharpur. By 1961, around 5000 workers were involved in producing agricultural ropes from kekat fiber, sourced locally and from neighboring districts like Ahilyanagar and Satara.

Oil pressing was traditionally carried out using wooden ghanis, with key centers in Solapur, Barshi, and Pandharpur. Oils were extracted from groundnut and safflower, though competition from mechanized mills impacted the industry.

Buruds and Mangs practiced bamboo working across the district. They made household and agricultural items using bamboo sourced from Anavar and Dandeli.

Carpentry was widespread, with Karmala being noted for its high-quality carts. Timber was procured from Alanwar, Dandeli, and Ballarshah. The traditional baluta system, where artisans were paid in kind, had nearly disappeared by this time.

Blacksmiths, engaged in making and repairing agricultural tools were numbered 1,965 in 1961, up from 1,055 in 1941. The trade was no longer confined to hereditary practitioners, with some workers receiving formal training in modern techniques.

Pottery was practiced throughout the district, though employment declined from 1,718 in 1941 to 1,634 in 1961. Due to a lack of high-quality clay, potters sourced it from Bijapur. Some had formed cooperative societies, but financial challenges persisted.

The metalworking industry was concentrated in Solapur, Barshi, and Pandharpur, primarily employing wage laborers. By 1961, the workforce had grown significantly to 2,132 individuals, compared to 300 in 1941.

Bidi-making was a significant cottage industry, employing 11,000 workers in 1941, mainly in Solapur. By 1961, the workforce had declined to 7,465. Many workers, including women and children, were engaged in home-based production, though wages remained low.

Kunkum-making was localized to Pandharpur and Kem, largely due to Pandharpur’s religious significance. The process involved grinding turmeric, with women handling the grinding and men managing cleaning and mixing.

Solapur district has been shaped by several influential families who have played a significant role in industry, agriculture, and politics. These families have contributed to sectors such as manufacturing, irrigation, retail, and governance, leaving a lasting impact on the region. Some of the most notable among them include the Shah, Mohite Patil, Patil, Kothari, Gandhi, and Birla families.

While Solapur district has not experienced a sudden surge in new industries, its traditional sectors, particularly chaddar and towel manufacturing, continue to thrive. The most notable emerging industry is renewable energy, especially solar power, which has positioned Solapur as a key hub for solar energy projects and manufacturing in Maharashtra. This growth has created employment opportunities and benefited agriculture through solar-powered irrigation.

Despite pride in local industries, many residents feel industrial development has not reached its full potential. However, an increasing entrepreneurial spirit is evident in the rise of small-scale businesses, with initiatives like Solapur Startup Fest encouraging new ventures.