Khadi, village industries achieve record growth

SHILLONG, April 22: The Khadi and Village Industries sector has witnessed unprecedented growth over the past 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, according to provisional data released by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Chairman Manoj Kumar. Speaking at the KVIC headquarters in Rajghat, he revealed record highs in production, sales, and employment for the financial year 2024–25.
Sales in the sector surged by 447%, reaching Rs. 1.70 lakh crore, while production rose 347% to Rs. 1.16 lakh crore compared to 2013-14. Khadi cloth alone saw a 561% increase in sales, reaching Rs. 7,145 crore, driven largely by PM Modi’s consistent promotion of Khadi as a national symbol.
Employment generated under KVIC initiatives rose by 49.23%, with 1.94 crore people employed in 2024-25, up from 1.30 crore in 2013-14. The Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) contributed significantly, supporting over 10 lakh units and employing more than 90 lakh people.
Under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana, KVIC distributed over 2.87 lakh machines and toolkits across rural India, doubling its budget to Rs. 60 crore for FY 2025-26. A majority of these initiatives have focused on women empowerment, with over 57% of 7.4 lakh trainees in the last decade being women.
Calling it a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and a step toward “Viksit Bharat 2047,” Kumar credited the achievements to government support and the dedication of rural artisans across the country.