Rice, ragi and maize are
the cash crops grown in Karnataka. Besides these, Kolar district is
one of the largest vegetable growing belts in our country. Haveri,
Davangere, Belgaum & Hunsur (near Mysore) are centres for trading
in turmeric, cotton and
tobacco respectively.
Then we have one of the prime agro-products which is well loved
the world over - coffee, grown mainly in Mercara. The hills
in Mercara are truly alive with the flavor and aroma of one of the
best varieties of coffee - arabica and peaberry. Coffee is
also grown in the district of Chikmagalur. Shimoga and Chikmagalur
grow an abundance of betel leaves,
arecanut and exotic stuff like vanilla.
Karnataka also exports oils like that of sandalwood and
davana, a prized commodity that is used in most perfumes.
Mysore is the centre for incense sticks
which are exported across the world with the demand increasing
every year.
Silk
is another commodity that finds a market all over the world.
In fact, Mysore silk is perhaps a synonym for silk itself! The silk
centres of Kollegal, Kolar, Ramnagar, Siddlagatta, etc., produce some
of the finest varieties of silk in the world.