Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday said that promoting Khadi will not only boost India's economic growth, but also create new employment opportunities.

In a video message at the conclave on 'Taking KHADI: Local to Global' organized by FICCI, jointly with IIFT and IamKhadi, Prabhu said that the government aims to promote Khadi as a global fabric, and therefore, new designs, styles, promotion and adoption of Khadi are essential. To ensure this, district level development is key, which in turn will promote the economic growth.

He said that 6 districts in 5 states have been identified and taken up as pilot project, adding, "imagine if all districts start growing at 3% more than normal, India’s GDP will be more than 3% of what it is today."

Alok Vardhan Chaturvedi, DGFT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry said that Khadi sector employs 80 lakh people and government assistance and promotions can provide once-in-a-while push, but the long-term sustainability requires inherent demand.

He added that there is huge opportunity for Indian fashion industry in textile sector, both in domestic and international market, and Khadi needs to create demand.

Ashwani Lohani, Chairman, Indian Railway Board said that there is a need to make Khadi a symbol of national pride.

He added that the railways on a daily basis requires four lakh bedrolls and would be willing to partner with KVIC in developing a strategy to provide disposable khadi bedrolls and towels at economical rates. 

V K Saxena, Chairman, KVIC (Khadi & Village Industries Commission, Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India) said that Khadi has the capacity to provide employment at a very low cost, adding that it is also an environment-friendly fabric. "Khadi is not a commercial tool. The objective of KVIC is to create employment through promoting khadi."

He further added that KVIC has joined hands with corporates and has launched Khadi Corners to make its reach wider.

Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Project Leader, IIFT said that khadi can also be a global brand, however, it needs correct marketing strategy to boost this sector. 

Archana Garodia Gupta, Chairperson, MSME Committee, FICCI in her address suggesting ways for strengthening khadi, said that the Government can help create artisan online directory and Indian railways can help showcase local products and craft through the kiosks at every station.

Based on the output derived out of discussions from across various stakeholders from weavers to artisan to designers, design institutes, Corporates, PSUs, etc a strategy document towards enhancing Khadi exports by 2020 will be prepared, added Tamanna Chaturvedi, Project  Co-ordinator at IIFT.