The state is home to more than half of the operating fiber textile mills in India.[2][3] Coimbatore is often referred to as the Manchester of South India due to its cotton production and textile industries.[4][5] As of 2022[update], Tiruppur exported garments worth $480 billion, contributing to nearly 54% of the all the textile exports from India and the city is known as the knitwear capital due to its cotton knitwear export.[6][7] As of 2015[update], the textile industry in the state accounted for 17% of the total invested capital in all the industries.[8] As of 2021[update], 40% of leather goods exported from India worht ₹9,252 crore (US$1.1 billion) are being manufactured in the state.[9]
The state is one of the largest producer of textile yarns and finished garments, accounting for more than 70% of the national output. The department is responsible for the management of entire textile supply chain including facilitating resources including materials, land and labour, textile machinery, education and research and promotion.[13] The department also provides for various savings and pension schemes to support the industries. The government also procures free school uniforms and textiles for distribution to the poor from the textile co-operative industries.[13]
Handloom
The handloom industry employs more than 2.4 lakh workers with more than 52% women in 1.55 lakh units. The state has the third highest number of handlooms and the highest number of handloom weavers in co-operative units. The department of handlooms is responsible for ensuring the sustainability of the weavers by facilitating raw materials for production, infrastructure support, marketing and sales of finished goods through Co-optex.[13]
Powerloom
The powerloom sector in the state accounts for one fifth share of the country with 5.63 lakh units and employing more than ten lakh people. The department is responsible for modernization of the powerloom sector, up-skilling of workers and facilitating marketing and exports.[13]
Sericulture
The state is the third largest producer of silk and the sericulture department is responsible for increasing the silk output, modernization of the industry, education of farmers, research and marketing.[14]
Handicrafts and Khadi
Handicraft
The handicraft board is responsible for training of artisans, facilitate employment and benefits, improve productivity and quality and sales and marketing of products through "Poompuhar".[14]
Khadi
The Khadi board was created in 1960 and is responsible for improving the production of khadi products, facilitation of financing and social benefits to khadi producers in rural areas and marketing of the products.[14]
Palm products
The Palm products development board functions under the department and was established in 1994. It is responsible for safeguarding the interests of palm farmers, improve production, facilitation of sales and marketing of products.[14]
