Karnataka is an agrarian state known worldwide for its production of coffee, raw silk and sandalwood. The state has a 75% share of the total floriculture industry of the country. About 70% of the people of the state live in villages and 71% of the total population is agriculture dependent. 59% of total coffee produced in the country comes from Karnataka whereas the state is also a major producer of ragi. The major crops grown in the state are: rice, ragi, jowar, maize, and pulses besides oilseeds and number of cash crops. Cashew, coconut, areca nut, cardamom, chilies, cotton, sugarcane and tobacco are among the other crops produced in the state.

The forested area of south Karnataka gives the sandal wood resource to the state. Maize is grown only in the northern tip of the state in Bidar District. Coconut and Arecanut is grown in the southern districts. Cotton is grown in abundance in the Gulbarga District. The Davangere District of the state is a center of cotton industry. The weather conditions in coastal areas make cultivation of fruit orchards favourable. Rice is grown mostly in the coastal districts. The state ranks fifth in the country in the production of oilseed.