Agriculture remains the cultural and historical heartbeat of Paro. The wide, fertile valley floor is a patchwork of meticulously maintained terraced fields. Paro is most famous for its indigenous red rice, a staple of the Bhutanese diet that thrives in the valley's specific altitude and water conditions.
In addition to rice, the district is a major producer of apples, potatoes, and wheat. Livestock farming, particularly dairy cattle, is common in the lower and mid-altitudes, while high-altitude gewogs like Tsento rely on yak herding for dairy, meat, and wool. Aligning with Bhutan's national gross national happiness (GNH) goals, there is a heavy emphasis on organic farming practices, minimizing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.