Agriculture in and around Khonsa is characterized by a mix of traditional Jhum (shifting) cultivation and settled terrace farming. Due to the steep slopes, farmers clear patches of forest to grow crops for a few years before moving on, though government initiatives are actively encouraging more sustainable, permanent farming methods.
The primary food crops are rice, millet, and maize, which form the staple diet of the local population. Cash crops have seen a significant rise in recent years, with farmers cultivating tea, large cardamom, ginger, mustard, apples, and oranges. Livestock rearing—particularly pigs, mithun (a semi-domesticated bovine), and poultry—is an integral part of the agricultural economy and holds deep cultural and ritualistic significance. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) like bamboo and cane are also heavily harvested.