By Nimish Rustagi
Khadi in India: In the last 9 years, the whole world is seeing the revolution that Indian artisans have woven on the charkha of Khadi. The name of that revolution is ‘Self-reliant India’. Khadi commands a sentimental value for Indians. It symbolizes the need for and importance of indigenous manufactured goods. Today, Khadi means the Fabric of our Nation’s Progress and Resilience.
The khadi industry is one of the most prominent traditional industries in India as it not only boosts sales and employment opportunities for the artisans; but also strengthens export potential, contributes to GDP, promotes rural development and entrepreneurship.
Economic Development
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has even exceeded the turnover of the best FMCG companies in India. Owing to the constant support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, KVIC has, for the first time, clocked a massive turnover of Rs 1.34 lakh crore in 2022-23. In 2013-14, the turnover of Khadi and Village Industries (KVI) products was Rs. 31,154 crores.
There has been an unprecedented growth of 332% in the sale of indigenous Khadi products made by artisans from 2013-14 to 2022-23. Among the different KVI products, there has been unmatched growth in the production of Khadi fabrics in the last 9 years. In 2013-14, the production of Khadi clothes was Rs 811 crore, with a jump of 260%, it has touched the figure of Rs.2916 crore in 2022-23. The demand for Khadi clothes has also increased rapidly from 2013-14 to 2022-23. In 2013-14, where its sales were only Rs 1081.04 crore, by 2022-23, it increased by 450% to touch the figure of Rs 5942.93 crore.
Khadi artisans associated with Khadi sector are also getting the benefit of increase in production and sale of Khadi clothes. Their remuneration has been increased by more than 150% since 2013-14. The record production of Khadi has been possible due to the continuous efforts and hard work of the cotton spinners and weavers engaged in the production and sale of Khadi.
Strengthening Rural Industries and Community Building
Rural revitalization plays an essential role in fulfilling the country’s aim of becoming self-sufficient. In this regard, financial assistance provided through DBT to artisans, modernization of existing infrastructure like charkha and looms, digitization, development of new technology and designs through R&D activities has increased significantly in the last 9 years. This has contributed a lot to the development of Khadi and Village Industries products. To further strengthen the rural economy and to ensure self-sustainability, KVIC unveiled a unique government online platform eKhadiIndia.com in 2021, which showcases over 50,000 products.
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has taken several other initiatives for promoting, developing and strengthening the rural traditional industries in the country. For instance, KVIC through its Village Industries Program is running skill development training programs to provide training, enhance income and improve livelihood opportunities in various rural industries like honey and beekeeping, palm jaggery, pottery, handmade paper and leather industry, rural engineering etc.
Apart from this, KVIC is working on a plan to provide sewing machines as well as sewing training to rural women to provide maximum opportunities to women power in rural areas. Since 2013-14, 7.43 lakh people have been trained across the country and artisans have been provided with need-based tool kits. Further, the appeal of “Vocal for Local” has taken Khadi to new heights of popularity in the country and abroad.
Boosting Employment Opportunities
In the last couple of years, KVIC’s main focus has been to create sustainable employment for artisans and unemployed youth. It has set a milestone by creating 9.5 lakh jobs in rural areas in 2022-23, whereas in 2013-14, 5.6 lakh jobs were created. Under Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), the nation has set a new record by connecting the youth of the country with the Swadeshi Campaign. More than 80% of PMEGP units are set up in rural areas, out of which more than 50% units are headed by SC, ST and women entrepreneurs.
This has given a boost to women empowerment and women entrepreneurs in the country. Under PMEGP, a total of 73.67 lakh people have been provided employment opportunities by setting up 8.69 lakh new projects during 2022-23, with a total margin money subsidy disbursement of Rs 21870.18 crore from 2008-09 to 2022-23. Further, KVIC, through its training centres and through other promotional schemes, conducts Skill Development Programme (SDP) and Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes (EAP) in the country for unemployed youth to generate self-employment opportunities in traditional industries.
To sum up, Khadi industry is not just a symbol of India’s independence movement and cultural heritage but also an essential driver of economic growth, employment, and sustainable development. By supporting the Khadi industry, the nation has reaped social, economic, and environmental benefits, contributing to the country’s overall progress.
( Nimish Rustagi, Additional Director General; Himanshu Pathak, Deputy Director; and Apoorva Mahiwal, Young Professional, Research Unit, Press Information Bureau)
