Cottage and Village Industry Products Must Be Available on Online Platforms: CM Dr. Mohan Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav emphasised that cottage and village industries, as the smallest units of industrialisation, have the potential to generate grassroots entrepreneurship and employment. He called for expanding activities at the village and family level, providing proper training, market linkage, and improved product presentation, while ensuring that products are made available through online platforms.

During a review meeting of the Cottage and Village Industries Department held at the Ministry, Dr. Yadav stated that districts like Ujjain, Maheshwar, Chanderi, Bhopal, and Gwalior, known for their handicrafts and handloom products, should receive special attention for branding and marketing.

He advised the department to shift from production-driven models to encouraging privately-led initiatives, fostering entrepreneurship at the local level. Minister of State for Cottage and Village Industries (Independent Charge) Shri Dilip Jaiswal, Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Jain, and Additional Chief Secretary (CM Office) Dr. Rajesh Rajora, among other officials, were present.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also highlighted the need to include food-related products under the sector and promote beekeeping and honey production as allied activities for farmers. He suggested encouraging local youth near religious sites to engage in self-employment activities such as crafting deity garments, metal/wood/clay idols, and other religious paraphernalia. The Chief Minister lauded progress under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav informed during the meeting that, to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Maa Ahilya Devi, a new saree collection inspired by designs and patterns carved on Maheshwar Fort will be launched in her name. The state also plans to develop silk centres into Silk Tourism hubs.

In Burhanpur, efforts are underway to revive traditional silk and khadi activities by installing 10 looms and 50 charkhas, which will soon lead to the opening of a Khadi Production Centre, generating employment for around 100 people.

The recently inaugurated Silk Tech Park in Pachmarhi is cultivating all four types of silk—Mulberry, Tasar, Eri, and Muga. To modernise silk products and align them with fashion trends, fashion shows have been organised in Indore and Mumbai with the support of fashion technology students and government institutions. These innovations are economically empowering artisans and enhancing the national and international identity of Madhya Pradesh’s silk products.