The Zayandehrud river basin historically provided exceptional agricultural fertility to the region. The agricultural lands surrounding the city produce a variety of crops including wheat, barley, cotton, tobacco, and safflower. The region is also famous for its orchards, yielding pistachios, almonds, pomegranates, and melons.
In recent years, agriculture has been heavily impacted by severe water shortages. The diversion of the Zayandehrud for industrial use and drinking water in neighboring provinces, compounded by climate change and prolonged droughts, has severely threatened traditional farming, leading to a push toward more water-efficient irrigation and greenhouse farming.