Economy of Solapur district is quite developed where its industries are concerned. It is situated at an important junction of the North-south railway line and is consequently a good place for industries to be set up. There are a number of medium and small scale and medium industries found in the district, and it is one of the prime centres of the Handloom and Powerloom industry, cotton mills and the beedi industry. Solapur is well known for the bed sheets produced here, and has a reputation for the same. Textiles therefore figure in a big way in the economy of the district. In the agricultural field, the district has a well established market in oilseeds. The major crops grown in the district include jowar, wheat and sugarcane.

Handloom and Powerloom Industry
Solapur is the home of Handloom and Powerloom weaving industry which provides employment to a large number of workers. There are around 6000 powerloom industries operational in the district. Out of these 300 establishments are registered under Mumbai Shops and Societies Act 1948 and the other 3000 are registered under Factories Act 1948. There are about 25000 Powerloom and about 30000 workers are employed. On the Jackard powerloom the main production is chadders, towels and napkins. These products are exported to various countries in the world. The employees working on the handloom or powerloom machines mainly manufacture Jackard Chadders, Towels and Napkins. These workers receive their payments on the `Piece Rate` basis, based on category of the product. As the `Piece Rates` of various products are different there is variation in workers earnings. As per the traditional piece rate system the worker gets Rupees 70 to 90 per day on an average.

Beedi Industry
Beedi industry is the second important industry in Solapur district. Beedi is basically a kind of local cigarette, where tobacco is wrapped in a tendu leaf and tied at the end with a coloured thread. The work of beedi rolling falls under the category of cottage industry. Typically women are employed in these industries and they work from home. The largest beedi-producing industry in the state of Maharashtra is in the district of Solapur. There are 115 units of 29 various beedi factories. In these 115 units there are about 70000 lady workers and 1725 factory workers in the district.

Thus discussed is the economy of Solapur district, dependent as it were, on the handloom and beedi industries.