Agriculture in Kinnaur is defined by terraced farming and high-altitude horticulture. The crown jewel of the local agricultural economy is the Kinnauri apple (varieties include Royal Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Richard), highly prized in national and international markets for its crispness, color, and extended shelf life.
Kinnaur is also one of the only places in India that produces *chilgoza* (pine nuts), which are harvested from wild pine forests and fetch premium prices. Traditional subsistence crops include buckwheat, barley, wheat, and *rajma* (kidney beans). Because arable land is scarce, farmers employ meticulous terracing and traditional irrigation utilizing glacial meltwater (kuhls). Animal husbandry is also essential; many families rear sheep and goats for wool, meat, and milk, often migrating with them during the harsh winters.