Question

Which feature BEST describes Kerala's industrial sector historically?

• A. Capital-intensive and technology-driven
• B. Small-scale, resource-based and low-tech.
• C. Dominated by multinational corporations
• D. Export-oriented heavy industries

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Small-scale, resource-based and low-tech.

Historically, Kerala's industrial structure has been dominated by traditional industries characterized by:

• Small-scale operations: Many units were and still are in the unorganized or cottage industry sector.

• Resource-based production: The industries primarily depended on the abundant natural resources of the state, such as coconut, cashew, spices, clay, and timber.

• Low-tech methods: The primary traditional industries like coir, cashew processing, handloom, and handicrafts (like bell metal and wood carving) typically involved labor-intensive processes with relatively low levels of technology and capital investment.

While some large-scale, modern factories were established during the pre-Independence era (like FACT, Travancore Rayons, and a few textile and paper mills), the majority of employment and industrial character historically stemmed from these traditional, resource-based, and small-scale sectors.