Khadi product sales rise 332% in nine years

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Jun 9, 2023

Sales of handloom Khadi textiles and products as well as village industries goods have increased by 332% over the past nine years, according to the government’s Ministry for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. This rise in sales has helped artisans’ wages to increase by 150% during the same time period. 

“In the financial year 2013 - 2014 to 2022 – 2023, where there was an increase of 268% in the production of Khadi and village industry products, the sales touched the figure of 332%, breaking all records,” said the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in a statement, ET Bureau reported. 
 
Following the strong industry performance over the past nine years, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission has significantly increased employment in the sector in rural areas, helping to facilitate the creation of 9.5 lakh new jobs in the 2023 financial year. Cumulative employment in the sector increased from 1.3 crore in the 2014 fiscal to 1.77 crore in the 2023 financial year. 

Khadi clothing has witnessed particular popularity as shoppers increasingly value sustainability and ethnical production. The production of Khadi clothing increased by 260% to reach a value of Rs 2,961 crore in the 2023 financial year, compared to Rs 811 in the 2014 financial year, the Economic Times reported. Khadi fabrics sales increased by 450% during the same time period.