Following liberalizing economic reforms in the late 1980s and early 1990s, India is now the world's second fastest growing economy, as well as its second most populous. Faster growth is strengthening and diversifying consumer demand, and India is now among the world's leading importers of cotton, vegetable oils and pulses.
Despite a rich and extensive agricultural resource base and burgeoning subsidy outlays, farm sector performance has remained sluggish, creating pressure for reform of domestic agricultural policies. It has been difficult to achieve consensus on the reform agenda, but measures to increase market orientation, improve marketing efficiency, and strengthen incentives for private investment are likely to be key goals.
Indian cotton use is expanding due to rising demand in India and increased textile and apparel exports following the removal of Multifiber Arrangement quotas. Reforms to policies that discriminate against large scale manufacturing and use of manmade fibers should boost export competitiveness and demand growth. Raw cotton exports have increased recently, with future growth dependent on how much progress is made in improving domestic cotton yields and quality

Following liberalizing economic reforms in the late 1980s and early 1990s, India is now the world's second fastest growing economy, as well as its second most populous. Faster growth is strengthening and diversifying consumer demand, and India is now among the world's leading importers of cotton, vegetable oils and pulses.
Despite a rich and extensive agricultural resource base and burgeoning subsidy outlays, farm sector performance has remained sluggish, creating pressure for reform of domestic agricultural policies. It has been difficult to achieve consensus on the reform agenda, but measures to increase market orientation, improve marketing efficiency, and strengthen incentives for private investment are likely to be key goals.
Indian cotton use is expanding due to rising demand in India and increased textile and apparel exports following the removal of Multifiber Arrangement quotas. Reforms to policies that discriminate against large scale manufacturing and use of manmade fibers should boost export competitiveness and demand growth. Raw cotton exports have increased recently, with future growth dependent on how much progress is made in improving domestic cotton yields and quality