INDUSTRIAL SCENARIO
Shimoga district has as on 31.3.2000, 9779 no. of units with an investment of Rs.11715.90 lakhs, employing 41000 persons. Agro based industries and Automobile based industries and the Engineering based industries are the prominent ones in the district.  The average investment per unit is about Rs.1.30 lakhs and the employment per unit on an average is 4 persons. So far, the investment made is maximum under the food and beverages sector followed by the general Engineering/mechanical products. Likewise, the employment provided is also maximum from Food & Beverages sector followed by General Engineering/ mechanical sector.

The foundry units in the district have been very successful in producing quality products. They have been manufacturing components for automobile sector, electric motors etc. Some of them have been exporting their products that have obtained ISO certification.

Under the rural artisans category, there are units like traditional carpentry, blacksmithy, leathercrafts, pottery, beekeeping, stone cutting, handlooms, agarabathi and sandal carving etc. There are about 13126 artisans spread over the entire district under various crafts. Among these, sandalwood articles have brought number of awards to the district. These products have been displayed in various trade fairs and exhibitions. Some articles are being exported through KSHDC.

LARGE  & MEDIUM  INDUSTRIES IN SHIMOGA DISTRICT

• Agriculture including animal husbandry has been the major contributing sector for the income of the district. 
   
• The district has abundant non-cultivable and fallow land available which can be effectively used for starting industries and district has  3 Hydro-Electric Power projects. The district has 124 km length of railway line in the district is of which line between Shimoga and Bangalore has been converted in to broad gauge.  The district has 2420 kms. Length of surfaced roads.
   
• About 400 Engineers and 1300 diploma holders are graduating from the district every year.    In addition, there are students passing out from general education Institutes, one Dental College and two Indian Systems of Medicine colleges.    Skill oriented Training in Carpentry, leather stitching, cane & Bamboo & Sandalwood carving is provided at ATI, Sagar.  
   
• The regional design & Technical Development Centre, Govt. of India has been imparting training in lacquer-ware at Kugve, Sagar taluk. RUPREG (Rural self employment promotion research guidance center) is specialised training centre promoted by Canara Bank in association with Dept of Industries & Commerce, GOK to train the rural youth in tailoring, embroidery, motor winding, hand pump repair and also conducting EDPs.
   
• Handicraft artisans producing sandalwood and rosewood articles are producing certain precious articles, which have great demand in the country as well as abroad.
   
• The foundry and automobile sectors have excelled by way of its quality and innovativeness.  This factor needs to be utilized for further development.

Human Resource -- educated skilled and uneducated which shapes and controls the material resources in the industrial development is abundantly available in the district which can be effectively utilised for the industrial development.
Shimoga district happens to be Granary of paddy in Karnataka. The major share of the district income is from Agriculture sector.   Agricultural resources can be properly used for conversion into value added products.

Teak, sandalwood, Rosewood, etc. available in the forests, have very good potential for value added products, if permitted by the Govt.  Horticultural crops  & plantation in the district indicate a promising future for many new industries.  Even though the apiculture activity has not been in full swing with proper support, bee keeping could be a profitable venture.

There is also scope for increasing the strength of cattle as there is demand for milk.

Since the IT revolution is taking place throughout the world and India is trying to emerge as IT super power, IT related enterprises can be promoted with a mini software park as quality Engineers in IT, Computer Science & Electronics are coming out from JNN College of Engineering, Shimoga, some of them have been successful in finding placement in Wipro, Infosys etc.

As an Auto complex is established exclusively for automobile related units, there is a good opportunity to start ancillary units catering to the requirements of KSRTC or Telco etc.

A Science & Technology Entrepreneurs’ Park in JNN College of Engg. could pave way for better industry-institute interaction, creating a healthy environment for the industrial growth.