Khadi sector hits historic revenue milestone of Rs 1.87 lakh crore

The Khadi and Village Industries sector has achieved an unprecedented economic benchmark, with sales rising to Rs 1.87 lakh crore for the FY25-26. This performance reflects a 501 per cent increase in market turnover since 2013-14, underscoring a shift in consumer preference toward sustainable, indigenous apparel and consumer goods. Within this aggregate, the dedicated Khadi textile segment showed exceptional momentum, with sales reaching Rs 7,869 crore, a 628 per cent increase compared to the base year.

Manoj Kumar, Chairman attributes this sustained growth to the ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, which have effectively modernized the sector’s supply chain and market accessibility. The industry is currently prioritizing the integration of advanced manufacturing equipment, having distributed over 37,000 toolkits and machines in the latest fiscal year to enhance production precision and volume.

As the sector matures, it continues to scale beyond traditional artisanal boundaries, with women now comprising nearly 59 per cent of the trained workforce. This growth is not merely a quantitative achievement; it signifies the successful industrialization of rural manufacturing, positioning Khadi as a competitive player in both domestic and expanding global apparel markets.

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) operates under India’s Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to promote rural industrialization. It focuses on handspun textiles, apparel, and village-based manufacturing. Driven by the ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’ vision, KVIC emphasizes artisan employment and modernization to ensure long-term rural economic sustainability.