While Naharlagun itself is heavily urbanized, it serves as the vital agricultural market for the surrounding rural areas of Papum Pare district.
In the nearby hills, farmers practice both traditional shifting cultivation (Jhum) and settled terrace farming. Key crops traded in Naharlagun's daily and weekly markets include rice, maize, millet, ginger, large cardamom, and an array of organic vegetables. The region is famous for horticulture, producing pineapples, oranges, and bananas. Bamboo is both a crucial construction material and a widely consumed food source (bamboo shoots). Local fisheries and livestock (particularly poultry, pigs, and the semi-wild bovine known as Mithun) play a significant role in the local diet and economy.
