Despite its largely arid climate, agriculture remains a vital part of Isfahan Province's economy, heavily reliant on sophisticated irrigation techniques, including ancient underground aqueducts (qanats) and modern dams.
The province is a major producer of wheat, barley, potatoes, and onions. In the orchards, farmers grow apples, pomegranates, quinces, and stone fruits. The city of Kashan and its surrounding villages (like Qamsar) are world-famous for their Damask roses, supporting a lucrative rosewater and essential oil industry.
Livestock farming, particularly sheep and dairy cattle, is prominent, making Isfahan one of Iran's leading provinces for dairy production. However, agricultural output has been severely threatened over the past two decades by profound water scarcity and the drying of the Zayandeh Rud river, forcing many farmers to protest or abandon water-intensive crops.