Last year, the low-profile Khadi industry saw sales worth Rs 50,000 crore for the first time in India. Products manufactured in villages by small-scale industries and social entrepreneurs, most of which are run by women, also saw huge demand. Such products include honey, soaps, cosmetics, furniture and food items.

This feat was made possible through constant push by the government of India and the increasing trend of using organic products worldwide. According to a report in the Times of India, the sales of village industry produce, or Gramodyog, grew 24% in the last fiscal. The ...