Flipkart, Amazon success spurs KVIC to launch online khadi portal

If all goes well, you will be able to buy high quality and international trend-setting khadi products online from next month. In its proposal to the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has proposed to launch its online portal from next month.

Cashing in on the fast-growing e-commerce sector, this is being seen as a clever move by KVIC to increase its sale. Sales recorded by e-commerce giants in the country, like Flipkart, Amazon India, Snapdeal, and Shopclues, during this festival season have been phenomenal with a large proportion of it coming from the smaller cities and town of India.

According to media reports, the site will be launched next month. “We have completed all the work related to it, such as preparation of the rate chart, photographs of products, godown, courier agreement, and payment channels," KVIC Chairman V K Saxena is reported to have said.

KVIC is also putting in place 16 franchises in states, including the national capital region (NCR), Goa, and Maharashtra. The commission, has so far, been selling its products through its own outlets.

According to the Khadi commission chairman, they are making all efforts to improve the standards, quality, design and marketing skills of spinners and weavers. The commission is also in the process of opening an export cell to boost exports of khadi products in the international markets.

"Through exports, we want to make khadi an international brand. Currently, we are not exporting directly. But through this cell we will start that. Demand for khadi items are huge in the US and UK markets," Saxena told PTI. According to media reports, last year, the sales grew by 29 percent to Rs 1,510 crore. During the first six months of the current fiscal, the sales have jumped by about 50 percent.