Khadi sales register 6 per cent growth in 2013-14

Sale of khadi, a hand-woven cloth, registered a 6 per cent growth in 2013-14 across the country, while the gain in production during this period was by about 6.45 per cent.

Industry experts have attributed this increase to availability of designer or fashion khadi, which is changing thinking of the youth and attracting them towards it.

"Demand for khadi in India has improved in the last couple of years and availability of designer khadi has helped in augmenting sales. Sales of khadi are still not that high but it will surely increase in the coming years," said Devendra Desai, chairman, Saurashtra Rachanatmak Samiti (SRS). Desai was also the past chairman of Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

Data provided by SRS suggests that total production of khadi in India increased by 6.45 per cent. In value terms, it touched Rs 811.08 crore during 2013-14. Sales gained by 5.82 per cent and rose to Rs 1,081.04 crore from previous fiscal's Rs 1,021.56 crore. Employment in khadi industry improved by 2.52 per cent in 2013-14.

The overall production of village industries' products rose by 8.75 per cent to Rs 25,298 crore from Rs 23,262.31 crore, data suggests.

Sales, meanwhile, gained 12.14 per cent and reached Rs 30,073.16 crore in 2013-14 while employment ratio improved by 4.69 per cent to touch 11.94 million people. Khadi and village industries generated about 535,000 new jobs last year.

Desai said, "Khadi and village industries should give importance to economic planning as this sector is capable in generating more jobs in villages."

Generally, khadi sale increases between October and March as the discount periods start from Gandhi Jayanti every year. However, the scenario is changing with entry of fashion in khadi. Several state level bodies like SRS have joined hands with NID and NIFT to produce designer ready-made khadi clothes.

Total sale of khadi in Gujarat was valued at Rs 70.85 crore while production stood at Rs 58.11 crore.