Agriculture is the main source of income for the people of West Bengal. About 70% of the total population depends on farming for their livelihood. The state has 3% cultivable land which accounts for 8% of the total food grains produced in the nation.

The major crops grown in the state include Rice, Wheat, Jute, Tea, Potato, Sugarcane, Pulses and Oilseeds etc. The cropping intensity has seen a significant increase from 131 percent to 162 percent in the last two decades. The state is the highest producer of rice in the nation; also there is remarkable progress in the production of jute and oilseeds. About 60% of the raw jute is produced in the state. The state also produces about 28% of the total potatoes grown in the country.

Tea is produced in the northern region of the state and is of great commercial value. The region is well known for Darjeeling and other high quality teas. Tobacco and sugarcane are also grown in significant quantity.

There are small farmers in the state who depend fully on the agricultural activities for earning a living. Steps are being taken by the Government to increase the rate of productivity by the utilization of high yielding varieties of seeds, application of fertilizers and also by following the modern scientific equipments and techniques. The Department of Agriculture of West Bengal looks after formulating policy decisions on agriculture production.

West Bengal was dependent on the Central Government for meeting its demands for food till recently. The food production remained slow and the green revolution was partially successful in the state. However, there has been a significant spurt in food production since the 1980s, and the state is now self sufficient in staple food grains.