Syllabus: 

GS-3: Transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues related to constraints. 

Context: 

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has achieved a historic milestone, surpassing a turnover of 1.7 lakh crore for the first time in independent India’s history. 

The provisional data of Khadi and Village Industries for the financial year 2024-25

Overall Growth (2013–14 to 2024–25)

• Sales increased by nearly 5x (447%), from ₹31,154.19 crore to ₹1,70,551.37 crore. 
• Production grew by almost 4x (347%), from ₹26,109.07 crore to ₹1,16,599.75 crore.
• Employment generation rose by 49.23%, from 1.30 crore to 1.94 crore jobs.

Khadi Sector Performance

Khadi Cloth Production:

• Increased from ₹811.08 crore in 2013–14 to ₹3,783.36 crore in 2024–25.
• Growth of 366% (about 4.5 times higher), marking the best performance to date.

Khadi Cloth Sales

• Rose from ₹1,081.04 crore in 2013–14 to ₹7,145.61 crore in 2024–25.
• Growth of 561%, nearly 6.5 times increase.

Business of Khadi and Village Industries Bhawan, New Delhi.

• Sales increased from ₹51.02 crore in 2013–14 to ₹110.01 crore in 2024–25.
• Growth of 115%, nearly doubling the business. 

Role of key Government Initiatives on KVIC performance

Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)

• Over 10 lakh units established since launch in 2008.
• Margin money subsidy of ₹27,166.07 crore released against loans worth ₹73,348.39 crore.
• Over 90 lakh people have gained employment through the scheme.

KVIC’s Gramodyog Vikas Yojana

Under the scheme, 2,87,752 machines, toolkits, and equipment have been distributed to promote self-reliance.

Role of Women in the sector:

• As per the recorded data 57.45% of the 7.44 lakh individuals trained through KVIC training centers over the past decade were women. 
• Additionally, 80% of the five lakh Khadi artisans are women. 
• In recognition of their contribution, wages for Khadi artisans have increased by 275% over the past 11 years.

Mains Practice Q: Critically examine the role of KVIC in promoting sustainable rural development and employment generation. Also, discuss the challenges it faces in the current economic scenario.