authors
Arindam Chakraborty

abstract
Indian agriculture, the primary livelihood source for nearly half of the nation’s population, has undergone a dramatic transformation since the introduction of economic reforms in 1991. While the initial stages of liberalization focused on industrial and financial sectors, agriculture was indirectly impacted through trade liberalization, reduction of subsidies, and changes in institutional support structures. The reforms brought new opportunities for export-led growth and market-driven diversification, but also introduced challenges related to input costs, rural indebtedness, and regional disparity. This paper critically analyzes the impact of economic policy reforms on Indian agriculture over the past three decades using data from the Economic Survey, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, NABARD, RBI, and other official sources. It evaluates the outcomes of liberalization in terms of productivity, structural shifts, farmer welfare, trade competitiveness, and policy responsiveness. The study concludes with policy recommendations to align agricultural growth with sustainability, equity, and global resilience.