The Shire Highlands run from north to south through the district, including the Zomba Plateau.

Other crops produced include rice, cassava, sweet potato, groundnuts, beans and pigeon peas.

In addition, Lake Chilwa continues to be the main source of fish in the district, with an annual catchment of more than 5,000 tonnes.

Small and medium-scale businesses dominate the district's non agro-based economy, with general retail accounting for the gross of sales.

The Zambezian and mopane woodlands occupy the warm, dry valley of the Shire River in the northeast of the district.

The South Malawi montane forest-grassland mosaic covers the cooler and moister Shire Highlands.

Most of the district's native forests have been cleared for agriculture or plantations of introduced pines (Pinus patula) and eucalyptus.

Attractions include the Zomba Plateau and Lake Chilwa, historical relics and the natural environment of the district.

Education in Zomba District is offered from pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary levels to adult literacy classes and vocational training.

However, the education sector in Zomba at all levels continues to face a number of challenges, including teacher qualification, shortages in the total number of teacher and student accommodations, lack of or dilapidated classrooms and lack of teaching materials.