Village Industries

The main objective of Village Industries is to provide gainful employment by utilising their traditional and inherent skill of the rural artisans with the locally available raw materials. It also aims to improve their self reliance, confidence and thereby increasing the socio-economic status of the artisans.

There are 35 Village Industry units functioning under the control of Board.

6.1 Soap Units

The Tamil Nadu Khadi and Village Industries Board has 7 bathing soap units, 2 bar soap units, 2 detergent units and totally 11 Units are functioning under its control. These soap industries generates considerable revenue for the board than the other village industries.

Soap varieties such as Kumari, Mooliga, Nitham, Neem, Sandal, Carbolic and Poigai are manufactured in 7 bathing soap units. Amongst these varieties ‘Kumari’ soap has a good demand in the market and more popular among the public.

The Cleaning powder, detergent cake, detergent powder and bar soap produced in 4 soap units are being marketed with the trade mark ‘Gopuram’.

Khadi soap varieties are popular amongst the public and are being sold through public distribution shops in bulk. As these varieties are cheaper and affordable in price, the public prefer to buy these products. Now, the Board has launched online shopping and also taking steps to sell through all leading departmental stores across the State.

Shampoo, Bodywash and Handwash Liquid production unit is functioning at Kandanoor in Sivaganga District

The production and sale achieved during the year 2020-21 are Rs.995.53 lakhs and Rs.999.12 lakhs respectively.

The production and sale achieved during the year 2021-22 (upto July’2021) are Rs.425.87 lakhs and Rs.358.70 lakhs respectively.

6.2 Carpentry and Blacksmithy Industry

Carpentry and Blacksmithy Industry is also a very old industry providing a sizable employment opportunities to the local rural artisans. The following 5 units are functioning at the places mentioned below:-

Veeraragavapuram in Tiruvallur District
Arakkonam in Ranipet District
Pallikonda in Vellore District
Nagamalai Pudukottai in Madurai District
Pettai in Tirunelveli District

The orders received from Government Departments, Institutions, Courts, Universities, Hindu Religious and Endowments Department, Schools, Colleges and District Libraries for the supply of wooden and steel furnitures are manufactured in these units. The power operated variable speed “Shaila” Electric Wheels meant for potters to reduce their work burden are manufactured in Arakkonam and Pallikonda Units and distributed to the beneficiaries identified by the Government.

During the year 2020-21, Rs.772.92 lakh worth production of Carpentry and Blacksmithy items and Rs.633.89 lakh worth of goods were sold to various departments.

During the year 2021-22 (upto July’2021), Rs.291.10 lakh worth production of Carpentry and Blacksmithy items and Rs.285.36 lakh worth of goods were sold to various departments.

6.3 Footwear Units

Footwear Units are also old units of the Board. There are 10 Footwear Units functioning under the Control of Tamil Nadu Khadi and Village Industries Board. File boxes for Government Departments, Rubberised Coir mattresses for Government Hospitals, footwears, conductor cash Bags, gloves for Transport Corporation employees, chappals for workers of Local bodies are being manufactured in these units.

During the year 2020-21, the Board has manufactured Rs.72.69 lakh worth of leather items and sold for Rs.57.21 lakh.

During the year 2021-22 (upto July’2021), the Board has manufactured Rs.11.66 lakh worth of leather items and sold for Rs.7.92 lakh.

6.4 Bee-keeping

Bee-keeping is also an important activity amongst the village industries. Around 10,000 bee farmers are engaged in harvesting the raw honey. The board procure raw honey without brokerage at Rs.140/- kg directly from the bee farmers and the amount is being credited directly into their account. The procured raw honey is processed at Amsi honey processing unit in Marthandam and tested for its quality and with ‘Agmark’ certification sent to Khadi Kraft outlets for sale.

During the year 2020-21, Rs.93.88 lakh worth of raw honey was processed and sold for Rs.143.93 lakh.

During the year 2021-22 (upto July’2021), Rs.29.95 lakh worth of raw honey was processed and sold for Rs.42.31 lakh.

6.5 Handmade Paper Units

There are 5 Handmade Paper Units functioning under the control of Board viz., Pidagam in Villupuram District, Vadalur in Cuddalore District, Govanur in Coimbatore District, Shenbagapudur in Erode District and Ooty in the Niligiris District. Raw pads, File pads, Bond paper, Office cover, envelope, X-ray cover, Corrugated box, Writing paper are being manufactured in these units. Raw pads for Central prisons, X-ray covers for hospitals, Office covers, File pads, envelops for Government Offices, Bond paper for courts were supplied against orders.

During the year 2020-21, production to the tune of Rs.36.07 lakhs and sale to the tune of Rs.34.32 lakhs was achieved.

During the year 2021-22(upto July’2021), production to the tune of Rs.8.58 lakhs and sale to the tune of Rs.7.02 lakhs was achieved.

6.6 Pottery

Pottery industry is one of the ancient industries of Tamil Nadu. This industry helps the potters living in rural areas to improve their economic status. There are 34 potters co-operative societies with 3,500 members are functioning under the control of the Board. To overcome the difficulties faced during the rainy season, the Government provides maintenance allowance of Rs.5,000/- annually to the selected potter family from the year 2017-18 onwards. 11,957 potters families registered with the Labour Welfare Board and Khadi Board societies have been benefitted by this scheme during the year 2020-21.

Already 4,000 numbers of electric operated variable speed Shaila Wheels have been disbursed to 4,000 potters family. Action is being taken to manufacture and distribute another 2,000 numbers of Shaila Wheel for the current year.

6.7 Other Village Industries

6.7.1 Vedapatty Jawathu unit

A Jawadhu Unit is functioning at Vedapatti in Dindigul District. Jawadhu Powder, Agarbathi, Sambirani, Sandal garlands, Herbal tooth powder, Candles, Camphor, Rose water and other items are being manufactured in this unit. Herbal tooth powder are being supplied to Central prisons in Tamil Nadu.

6.7.2 Eucalyptus Oil unit

An Eucalyptus oil processing unit is functioning at Ooty in the Nilgiris District. Raw Eucalyptus Oil purchased from the Co-operative society is processed and packed for sale. Also, the Board manufacture pain relief oil in the brand name ‘Sugapriya’ with ingredients such as eucalyptus oil, menthol, camphor and other materials. The Board manufacture and sold the above items to the tune of Rs.68.60 lakhs during the year 2020-21 from these units.

During the year 2021-22(upto July’2021), production to the tune of Rs.10.42 lakhs and sale to the tune of Rs.92.92 lakhs was achieved.

Village Industries