Bhubaneswar, March 30: This year's Odisha Khadi Fair-2026, which went on for seven days and ended on Sunday, saw trade of Rs 1.2 crore here.
The fair concluded in Bhubaneswar with a strong call to promote khadi and village industries as pillars of rural employment and economic growth.
The fair featured 75 stalls with participation from artisans across multiple states, including Odisha, Telangana, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh.
In the best stall category, Bapuji Khadi Seva Sangh secured first place, followed by Maa Durga Gramya Shilpa Samiti in second place, and Resham Odisha in third. The fair aimed to provide a unified platform for showcasing khadi and village industry products while strengthening market linkages and enhancing the livelihoods of weavers and artisans.
Addressing the closing ceremony, MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik emphasised the vast potential of the khadi sector in strengthening the rural economy. He urged citizens to adopt khadi in their daily lives, suggesting that people wear khadi garments at least once a week to support artisans. The minister also highlighted the need for modern approaches such as digital marketing and innovative designs to attract younger consumers.
The event, organised by the Odisha Khadi and Village Industries Board, focused on expanding market access for artisans.
A key highlight of this year’s fair was the integration of 50 artisan and weaver groups into the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), promoting e-commerce awareness and digital inclusion.
