Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Board (KKVIB)

The Department of Industries and Commerce oversees KKVIB as a statutory body. It is established by the Government of Kerala under the Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Board Act, 1957. It coordinates, promotes, and implements the schemes of rural development and employment related to Khadi and Village Industries. Kerala's Khadi and village industries are organized, developed, and promoted by KKVIB. The Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), the Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) of KVIC, and the Special Employment Generation Programme (SEGP) (Ente Gramam) are among the schemes implemented by KKVIB. Through the SEGP and PMEGP village industries Programmes, the Khadi and Village Industries Board created 1,539 job opportunities in 2024–2025.

Special Employment Generation Programme (SEGP)

Based on project evaluation and Industries and Commerce Department-approved norms, the Special Employment Generation Programme offers margin money subsidies to small business owners and traditional craftspeople through bank-linked initiatives. 40% of the project cost is the maximum amount of help that can be provided under margin money. 25% of the project cost will be subsidized to the general category, 30% to women and OBCs, and 40% to SC/ST and NRIs who lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this scheme seeks to give entrepreneurs the required technical and marketing support. For every Rs 3 lakh spent on capital, at least one person should be hired. A subsidy of 25% to 40% from the State scheme share is given to those who launch the business, successfully operate it for two years, and finish the lock-in period by adhering to the scheme requirements. There is no discrimination made between rural and urban locations. In 2024-25, SEGP created 416 village industries with a total project cost of Rs. 13.05 crore creating 515 employment opportunities.

Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)

PMEGP is a credit-linked subsidy programme that seeks to create jobs by establishing microbusinesses in both rural and urban areas. The scheme's objective is to give a sizable portion of the nation's unemployed youngsters in rural and urban areas, as well as traditional and aspiring artisans, steady and lasting employment. Financial institutions can participate in the scheme to increase credit flow to micro sectors. The scheme will credit microbusinesses' bank accounts with government subsidies. It involves extra pay and is overseen by the Khadi and Village Industries Board. With a total project cost of Rs 34.78 crore, 294 units were developed through the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) in 2024–2025, creating 1024 job opportunities. Margin money totaling Rs10.58 crore was made available. 

Marketing

The KKVIB operated 187 departmental sales stores for Khadi and village goods in 2024–2025. Their sales brought in Rs 59.85 crore.

Other Activities of KKVIB

• To encourage sales, departmental institutions of the Khadi Board and Khadi institutions received a reimbursement of Rs 15 crore.

• 12,500 spinners and weavers in the Khadi sector received RS 35 crore as part of the income support scheme.

• Khadi workers received a festive allowance of Rs 5.60 crore.