Due to extensive urbanization, agriculture within the Chennai city limits is practically non-existent. The city's historical agricultural lands have long been converted into residential, commercial, and industrial zones.
However, the surrounding districts of the Chennai Metropolitan Area, such as Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur, maintain active agricultural sectors. Farmers in these peri-urban regions primarily cultivate paddy (rice), sugarcane, groundnuts, and pulses.
Within Chennai itself, the primary food production sector is fishing. Coastal areas like Kasimedu host massive fishing harbors where thousands of tons of seafood are brought in daily, supporting both local consumption and an extensive export market.
