Agriculture and livestock raising are the main economic activities in Kohlu, followed by government and social services. As the original district was bifurcated in July 1983 into two districts – Kohlu and Dera Bugti – the 1981 census figures cannot precisely describe the labour force participation patterns. However, to have some idea of the situation, data about Kohlu agency in 1981 are given below. According to the 1981 census, the major economic activities in Kohlu agency were "agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing", followed by "mining and quarrying" and then by "finance, insurance, real estate and business services". Although livestock farming has not been mentioned in the "agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing" sector, it is one of the major economic activities in Kohlu district.

Agriculture has not been a major economic sector in Kohlu as the majority of the population was not permanently settled at any place. Rather they were used to migrate from one place to the other in search of pasture lands. Wherever water was available for irrigation and agriculture was feasible, they were to cultivate some crops. With the advent of tubewells people diverted their attention to agriculture. Still only 3.4 percent of the total geographical area constitute arable land. The arable land had increased from 22,946 hectare in 1989-90 to 26,051 hectare in 1994-95.

In Kohlu agricultural crops are categorised in two types, Rabi and Kharif, according to their cultivation seasons. Rabi crops are sown in winter and harvested in late winter or during early summer. Kharif crops are sown in summer and harvested in late summer or early winter. Rabi crops of the district include wheat, barley and masoor. Kharif crops in Kohlu include chillies, maize, jowar, bajra, melons, potato, onion, coriander, garlic, cotton and pulses including mash, moong and moth. Vegetables and fodder are cultivated throughout the year. Fruits are produced in Kharif season only and include almond, apple, grapes, pomegranate, apricot, peach, plum, citrus, mangoes and others.

Agricultural labour is predominantly done by men. However, women often assist. In most cases, all farming activities are done by the land owner and his family members themselves. However, a few big land owners hire tenants for farming.