Assertion (A): India contributes to about 18 per cent to the world silk production. What is however, more noteworthy is the fact that India's requirement of raw silk is much higher than its current production at present.

Reason (R): While sericulturists want imports of raw silk to be restricted to have better market for their produce, exporters want imports of cheaper raw silk so as to be able to export more silk products at competitive rates.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation — While sericulturists want imports of raw silk to be restricted to have better market for their produce, exporters want imports of cheaper raw silk so as to be able to export more silk products at competitive rates. This is why India contributes to about 18 per cent to the world silk production.