Khadi & Village Industries: From Tradition to Enterprise

October 17, 2026

A charkha spinning in a village once spoke of nationalism. Today, that spirit is taking new shape through a growing ecosystem of rural enterprises. Honey, herbal products, banana fibre, textiles and other village industries are creating new possibilities for traditional skills. The spirit of self-reliance continues to resonate with the vision of Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Traditional skills and local resources are finding new markets through access to finance, technology and training. This growing connection between local enterprise and consumers is also reflected in the Khadi Mahotsav. The Khadi Mahotsav takes place annually from 2 October to 31 October. With a particular focus on youth, the campaign sensitises them towards Khadi and “Vocal for Local” and encourages the public to buy Khadi and local products. At the centre of this transformation is the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

It is a statutory body established under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956. The Act mandates KVIC to plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist village industries. It covers measures related to training, raw materials, marketing, research, and quality improvement. It also supports skill development and research, while providing technical information and facilities related to Khadi and village industries. In 2025–26, sales of Khadi and Village Industries products reached a historic ₹1.87lakh crore, the highest level recorded (as of May 2026). Compared with 2013–14, sales grew by 501%, while production increased by 380% to ₹1,25,296 crore. Employment in the sector increased by 56% to 2.04 crore. The remuneration paid to artisans has also increased. It rose from ₹4 per hank in 2013–14 to ₹15 per hank currently, an increase of approximately 275%. Time From acquiring skills to accessing markets, a range of interventions is supporting artisans and village industries. KVIC has a network of 35 departmental and nondepartmental training centres. Training covers food products, bakery, beekeeping, agarbatti, candles, motor repairing and several other activities. During FY 2025-26, 79,682 trainees received training under various KVIC training programs. Women constitute more than 80% of approximately five lakh artisans in the Khadi sector.

In 2025–26, 47,382 women received training under various KVIC programmes, accounting for approximately 59% of all trainees. Training is complemented by interventions including toolkit and equipment distribution, marketing support and other measures. Since March 2008, the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) has provided employment opportunities to nearly 97.95 lakh people through KVIC. One such beneficiary is Jitendra Baitha, who established a bakery products manufacturing unit in Bihar in 2020. His venture has an annual turnover of ₹72 lakh and currently provides employment to 20 people, in the local community. Support also includes enterprise finance and the tools and technology needed for production. The Gramodyog Vikas Yojana empowers artisans by providing modern machines, toolkits and equipment. During 2025–26, 37,769 such machines, toolkits and equipment were distributed. KVIC, under the scheme, has distributed more than 3.23 lakh machines, toolkits and equipment (May 2026).

These efforts are complemented by measures that strengthen the wider ecosystem in which Khadi institutions and artisans operate. The Khadi Vikas Yojana helps Khadi institutions improve products, add value and respond to changing market demand. Its Modified Market Development Assistance provides greater flexibility for value addition and market-oriented pricing. During 2024–25, ₹245 crore was disbursed to 1,097 Khadi Institutions, benefiting 1,45,484 artisans. Access to affordable credit adds another layer of support. Under the Interest Subsidy Eligibility Certificate Scheme, eligible Khadi institutions can access credit at a concessional interest rate of 4% per annum. For artisans, the workplace itself also matters. The Workshed Scheme provides improved production spaces and a more congenial working environment. During 2025–26, up to December 2025, 1,309 artisans benefited under the scheme.

These measures support artisans with improved working conditions and access to resources for production. Across village industries, traditional skills and local resources are being developed into new businesses and products, supported by technology, training and market linkages. Research and development efforts are strengthening productivity, quality and competitiveness. S.P. Singh built his enterprise around honey and cookies, with support under the PMEGP scheme through KVIC. Based in Punjab, his business now provides employment to around 200 workers and exports its products to international markets. Honey and cookies are among its key products, with the United States accounting for a major share of exports.