However, due to the rugged terrain, Nepal faces major transportation obstacles. The leading crops are sugarcane, rice, and maize, with some wheat, potatoes, and vegetables. Buckwheat is grown at higher altitudes. Farming is the main occupation of the Sunwar. They grow rice, wheat, and barley in the river valleys, and maize and grain on the hill slopes.
Tobacco is grown in the lowland regions, with the surplus being exported.
Rice and oil seed also serve as exports. A few cows and buffaloes are kept, but they raise mostly poultry. Most of their animals and animal products are imported. India dominates trade in Nepal, but some commerce has been established with China and Bangladesh. The Sunwar typically live in one-story homes built of stone and mud.