AI Generated Summary
- A delegation from Punjab’s Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM) met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of National Handloom Day, highlighting the organisation’s efforts to revive indigenous cotton cultivation, natural farming and traditional handloom weaving through a unique farm-to-fabric initiative.
- As part of the meeting, the Prime Minister was presented with indigenous cotton seeds, fabric samples and a handwoven khadi shawl prepared by a rural artisan associated with the initiative.
- According to KVM representatives, the Prime Minister appreciated the contribution of the women weavers and expressed support for the organisation’s work in advancing natural farming and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.
A delegation from Punjab’s Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM) met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of National Handloom Day, highlighting the organisation’s efforts to revive indigenous cotton cultivation, natural farming and traditional handloom weaving through a unique farm-to-fabric initiative.
The 20-member delegation, comprising natural farmers, farmer-trainers and handloom weavers—many of them women from rural Punjab—presented the Prime Minister with the national flag crafted from handspun and handwoven khadi produced using indigenous, non-Bt cotton cultivated through natural farming practices.
During the interaction, the delegation shared details of KVM’s integrated model that connects sustainable agriculture with rural livelihoods by promoting traditional cotton varieties, hand spinning and weaving. The initiative has created employment opportunities for women artisans while preserving Punjab’s handloom heritage.
Representatives of KVM also explained how artisans from villages, particularly in the Faridkot-Moga belt, were identified and trained to establish a complete value chain, beginning with indigenous cotton cultivation and culminating in handcrafted khadi products.
As part of the meeting, the Prime Minister was presented with indigenous cotton seeds, fabric samples and a handwoven khadi shawl prepared by a rural artisan associated with the initiative. The delegation also submitted recommendations aimed at strengthening natural farming, conserving indigenous seeds and encouraging sustainable rural development in Punjab.
According to KVM representatives, the Prime Minister appreciated the contribution of the women weavers and expressed support for the organisation’s work in advancing natural farming and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices. He also interacted with members of the delegation, learning about their experiences in reviving traditional livelihoods and promoting pesticide-free agriculture.
KVM leaders described the meeting as an important milestone in the organisation’s long-standing efforts to restore indigenous cotton cultivation, revive handloom traditions and generate livelihood opportunities for rural communities. They said the interaction reflected growing recognition of grassroots initiatives that combine ecological sustainability with the preservation of traditional crafts.
