Deng Xiaoping began economic reforms in China with farming because agriculture was the foundation of the Chinese economy at the time. By focusing on improving the agricultural sector, Deng hoped to increase productivity, boost rural incomes, and stimulate overall economic growth. Furthermore, agricultural reforms were seen as a way to address issues such as food shortages and poverty in rural areas, which were major challenges facing China at that time. By starting with farming, Deng aimed to lay the groundwork for broader economic reforms that would ultimately transform China into a more market-oriented economy.
