KVIC eyes over 15 pc revenue growth every year

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), is eyeing over 15 per cent growth in its turnover every year going forward.

KVIC had recorded a total sales of nearly Rs 24,000 crore in 2009-10. "We expect a 15 per cent growth in our turnover every year (from now)," KVIC Director KS Rao told reporters in Mumbai on Wednesday.

It had recorded a production of around Rs 18,000-crore in the last fiscal. "While the sales last year was over 7 per cent more than that recorded last year, the production rose by over 10 per cent," he said.

The Commission has also received a $ 150-million grant to finance reforms in the khadi industry, KVIC Chairperson Kumud Joshi said.

"This would further enable us to increase our turnover in the coming years," she said, adding the funds would be utilised primarily for overall development of the khadi sector.

"The focus would be on khadi brand development, raw material procurement and production, marketing, market-linked pricing and production incentives, reforms at khadi institution level and also empowering artisans to increase their earnings," Joshi said.

The Commission is also contemplating adopting the franchisee model for selling its produce in malls, she said.

"With the influx of imported goods of textiles, traditional khadi is facing a serious competition. This move would be a step towards introducing khadi in the competitive market," Joshi said.