Agriculture in and around Tezu is a mix of traditional and modern practices. The region historically relied on shifting cultivation (Jhum), but there has been a massive shift towards settled farming and horticulture in the river valleys.
Major crops include paddy (rice), maize, and mustard. Tezu and the Lohit district are highly renowned for their horticulture, particularly the cultivation of oranges, which are exported to other states. Ginger, pineapples, and cardamom are also significant cash crops. In recent decades, tea cultivation has taken root in the plains around Tezu, providing a sustainable cash crop for local small tea growers. Livestock rearing, including mithun (a semi-domesticated bovine), pigs, and poultry, is deeply integrated into the local tribal economy and culture.