Kairuku-Hiri is abundant with diverse marine products and agricultural commodities like cocoa, coffee, rubber, oil palm, coconut, betelnut, livestock, poultry, and fruits and root crops. The majority of the population live in rural areas and their livelihood centre around farming, gardening and fishing. Of the 11,670 total households in the District, about 85% engage in any form of agricultural activity, 76% involved in income generating activities while 57% are subsistence farmers, who grow food for their own use (NSO, 2000). As well as supplying the residents of Port Moresby city with animal protein, fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables, Kairuku-Hiri is the main source of water and electricity supply.

Marine resources are diverse from a variety of fish species, lobsters, mudcrabs, crayfish and prawns to different types of edible sea shells. Due to limited freezer facilities in remote villages, most locals sell smoked or fresh seafood on roadside markets or bring them into the city markets for sale at an extra charge to cover for transportation costs.

Fruits and vegetables is produced and supplied to local markets, supermarkets, restaurants/hotels and large companies throughout PNG. The Pacific Adventist University (PAU) at 12 Mile produces quality farm products like banana, water melon, corn, aibica and pawpaw.

Sogeri Spices located 25km from Port Moresby grows pineapples, operates a pineapple factory and sells pineapple juice.

Sogeri Primary Produce located in Sogeri is the largest in the South Pacific. This modern hi-tech hydroponic farm grows and supplys lettuce and tomatoes to the city residents and mining, oil and gas companies.

Livestock and poultry is farmed and bred at various locations. Koitaki Farm located 30km from Port Moresby is the second largest cattle farm in the country. It provides fresh beef carcass and meat supplies to the city freezers, butcher shops and the local market.

Boroma Limited at 14 Mile also breeds and provides quality hog carcasses and Hagen Planters located at 15 Mile, Sogeri Road specialises in piggery and ducks. Hugo Canning Company located at 15 Mile is the supplier of the national brand Ox & Palm Corned Beef, Boston, Hereford and a distributor of Ocean Blue tinned fish.

Rubber is mainly grown at Doa, Kuriva, Itikinumu and Veimauri areas. Sogeri Rubber Development Corporation has the largest rubber plantation. Quality cup lump rubber is produced at the DOA TSR Factory for export to overseas markets.

Logging takes place in Vanapa, Veimauri, and Inika areas. There is a large modern timber sawmill at Edevu located near Brown River. This sawmill specialises in quality tropical hard wood timber.

Coffee is milled by a nationally owned company, Koiari Holdings, which manage and operate the only coffee mill in the the Southern Region. The 'Port Moresby Coffee Mill has coffee roasting facilities and produces "A" grade green bean coffee for export to overseas markets.

Vanilla is grown on small scale while betel nut is a major income earner for Mekeo people. Rice was grown commercially in Mekeo areas but later abandoned and plans are underway to re-introduce this cash crop.

There is a prospective Gold mine at Mt Bina in Koiari. Landowners are in favour of commencing operations whereas other Koiari people are concerned about its impact on the Kokoda Track and the environment. The Gas and Oil project in Boera/Papa/LeaLea areas will significantly enhance the economy and bring tangible benefits to the people of Kairuku-Hiri. The Papa/LeaLea Salt project was hindered due to land disputes but will soon resume as soon as outstanding issues are resolved. Freezer facilities will be establised in strategic locations to preserve all marine resources.