The North 24 Parganas district Human Development Report opines that in spite of agricultural productivity in North 24 Parganas district being rather impressive 81.84% of rural population suffered from shortage of food. With a high urbanisation of 54.3% in 2001, the land use pattern in the district is changing quite fast and the area under cultivation is declining. However, agriculture is still the major source of livelihood in the rural areas of the district. From 1977 on wards major land reforms took place in West Bengal. Land in excess of land ceiling was acquired and distributed amongst the peasants. Following land reforms land ownership pattern has undergone transformation. In 2010-11, persons engaged in agriculture in Gaighata CD Block could be classified as follows: bargadars 1,405 (2.23%), patta (document) holders 4,578 (7.26%), small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 3,630 (5.76%), marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 24,655 (39.11%) and agricultural labourers 28,766 (45.64%). Gaighata CD Block had 164 fertiliser depots, 30 seed stores and 60 fair price shops in 2010-11. In 2010-11, Gaighata CD Block produced 21,351 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop from 9,116 hectares, 32,024 tonnes of Boro paddy (spring crop) from 9,038 hectares, 3,030 tonnes of Aus paddy (summer crop) from 1,172 hectares, 733 tonnes of wheat from 275 hectares, 84,532 tonnes of jute from 4,158 hectares, 48,718 tonnes of potatoes from 1,116 hectares and 42,625 tonnes of sugar cane from 525 hectares. It also produced pulses and oilseeds. In 2010-11, the total area irrigated in Gaighata CD Block was 3,320 hectares, out of which 687 hecatares were irrigated by tank water, 780 hectares by river lift irrigation, 745 hectares by deep tube well, 125 hectares by shallow tube well and 983 hectares by other means. In 2010-11, the net area under effective pisciculture in Gaighata CD Block was 2,173.72 hectares. 12,497 persons were engaged in the profession. Approximate annual production was 65,211.6 quintals. In 2010-11, Gaighata CD Block had offices of 9 commercial banks and 5 gramin banks.