These include distribution of hybrid and higher quality seeds, establishment of soil testing laboratories and efficient and balanced use of fertilisers and pesticides. The state government has recognised the potential of Maharashtra as a horticultural producer and has launched a formal programme to tap this resource. About 140 horticulture nurseries have been established in the region to produce and supply genuine planting material of various fruit crops to cultivators. Maharashtra's 720-km coastline and approximately 3,200 km of rivers are ideal for the exploitation of marine, inland and brackish water fisheries. The potential catch from the state's 112,000 sq km of marine fisheries is estimated at 6,30,000 tonnes per year.
Animal husbandry is another important allied agriculture sector in the state.
According to the livestock census of 1992, the total livestock population in Maharashtra was approximately 36.4 million. Poultry farming is also a major activity. The number of birds supplied during 1996-97 from these units was 1.226 million. During 1997-98, the number of milk processing plants totalled 60, with an aggregate processing capacity of 5.785 million litres per day. The major manufacturing industries located in the state include textiles, chemicals, metallurgy, transport equipment, automobiles and machinery and machine tools.