Maharashtra Targets Global Textile Competitiveness
Maharashtra is seeking to strengthen its position as a global textile and export hub through its Farm to Foreign initiative.
The approach connects farmers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and the international fashion industry across an integrated textile value chain.
Shri Eknath Shinde, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, highlighted the vision while addressing the Farm to Foreign Conclave 2026 at Jio World Centre, Mumbai.
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) organised the conclave through its Maharashtra State Council.
Held under the theme “Advancing India’s 5F Vision for Sustainable & Traceable Textile Value Chains,” the event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, manufacturers, sustainability experts and other stakeholders.
Discussions focused on the Government’s 5F Vision: Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign. The agenda also covered climate-resilient fibre production, sustainable manufacturing, traceability, circularity and export competitiveness.
From Farm to Global Fashion Markets
The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Maharashtra aims to move beyond processing agricultural resources within the state. Instead, it seeks to develop globally recognised brands using cotton, silk, jute and other agricultural resources.
Shri Eknath Shinde, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said:
“From Maharashtra’s farms to the world’s markets, our textile journey must create value at every step. Our vision is not merely to produce more, but to produce sustainably, traceably and competitively so that every fibre carries the strength of our farmers, the innovation of our industry and the identity of a New India. The 5F vision gives us the roadmap to turn Maharashtra into a global hub for textiles, innovation and value-added manufacturing.”
Maharashtra Builds on Its Textile Legacy
Maharashtra has a long history of textile manufacturing. Mumbai’s historic textile mills, in particular, played an important role in the city’s economic development.
The state now aims to build on this legacy through new infrastructure and investment opportunities.
The PM MITRA Park in Nagpur and the Amravati Textile Cluster are expected to support textile manufacturing, create employment and contribute to economic growth.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra is promoting ready-made garment clusters in textile centres such as Ichalkaranji and Bhiwandi.
These clusters can create opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and investment. At the same time, the state aims to make manufacturing greener, more digital and more transparent.
Textile Skills to Support Women’s Employment
Women’s skill development also forms part of Maharashtra’s textile growth strategy.
Initiatives linked to the Ladki Bahin scheme aim to provide modern tailoring and garment-making skills.
By linking these skills with employment and entrepreneurship, the initiatives can help women build greater economic independence.
Maharashtra Takes Paithani and Kolhapuri Global
Maharashtra is also using its textile and craft heritage to strengthen its international presence.
Traditional products such as Paithani sarees and Kolhapuri footwear are being promoted as part of efforts to expand the global reach of the state’s cultural and creative industries.
In addition, a Textile, Craft and Cultural Museum is being developed at the historic India United Mill site in Byculla.
The proposed museum will showcase Maharashtra’s textile, handicraft and cultural heritage to visitors from India and overseas.
Infrastructure Supports Textile Export Growth
Maharashtra’s expanding infrastructure network could further strengthen its position as a manufacturing and export destination.
The Samruddhi Mahamarg, Navi Mumbai International Airport and JNPA port can improve connectivity and logistics.
As a result, products manufactured in Maharashtra can reach domestic and international markets more efficiently.
Milind Hardikar, Chairman of the ASSOCHAM Maharashtra State Council, said:
“Maharashtra has an important role to play in this journey. With a strong industrial base, entrepreneurial ecosystem, manufacturing capabilities, world-class logistics infrastructure and a vibrant textile sector, Maharashtra is uniquely positioned to advance India’s 5F vision through sustainable manufacturing, innovation, investments and export-oriented growth.”
He also added:
“The 5F vision, Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign is far more than a sectoral roadmap; it is a blueprint for building an integrated, future-ready textile value chain. Going forward, global competitiveness will be defined not only by capacity, productivity and product diversity, but by how responsibly we source our raw materials, manage our environmental footprint, uphold social accountability and ensure end-to-end visibility across the supply chain. India has all the ingredients to lead this transformation. What we need now is greater integration, stronger collaboration and a collective commitment to turning sustainability from a compliance requirement into a source of competitive advantage.”
Collaboration Key to a Sustainable Textile Ecosystem
In her concluding remarks, Smt. Chinmayee Deulgaonkar, Chair, Sustainability Sector, ASSOCHAM Maharashtra State Council, stressed the need for coordinated action.
She highlighted collaboration among policymakers, industry stakeholders, technology providers and sustainability experts as essential to advancing the 5F vision.
During the conclave, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also released the ASSOCHAM Knowledge Paper.
ASSOCHAM developed the paper in collaboration with Control Union. The document reflects the chamber’s continued engagement with industry and policymakers on issues shaping India’s economic and industrial development.
Farm to Foreign Focuses on Global Textile Growth
The Farm to Foreign initiative places sustainability, traceability, infrastructure, innovation and value-added manufacturing at the centre of Maharashtra’s textile strategy.
By connecting the entire journey from fibre production to global markets, the state aims to strengthen its textile ecosystem and improve its competitiveness in international markets.
