The economy of Mastung district is multi-sectoral. Agriculture is the dominant and flourishing sector of the economy. Horticulture is the leading sub-sector within agriculture, mostly producing high valued fruits like apples, almonds, grapes and watermelons. Livestock is also a sector. It is a source of income and also meets nutritional requirements of the population residing in the district. Minerals are also an important economic sector producing coal, clay and limestone. A large number of persons are involved in this sector. By contrast the industrial base is poor. Some years ago there used to be a cement factory, but it has been closed down. Still, some cottage industries like carpet weaving and local embroidery exist. There is no specific government industrial policy for the district. Provincial policies are framed in the light of federal policies and these are mainly focused on the provision of physical infrastructure.

There are two cropping seasons in Mastung district, Kharif and Rabi. Kharif crops are sown in summer and harvested in late summer or early winter. Rabi crops are sown in winter or during early summer. Important Rabi crops are wheat, barley, cumin, fodder and vegetables. Wheat is sown in irrigated as well as rain fed areas. More than 60 percent of the Rabi crops area was under wheat production in 1994-95. The major crops grown during Kharif are onion, fruit, fodder, vegetables, melon and potato. Most of the crops grown during Kharif crops are cash crops. Women and children are actively involved in agricultural activities at each stage of production, from sowing to harvesting. In Pashtoon areas the involvement of females and children in the agriculture sector is minimal. The demand for seasonal labour increases particularly at the time of sowing and harvesting of the crops. Seasonal labourers, male and female, are employed on daily wages. Female seasonal labourers are usually nomads and they are paid less than men.

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