Chhapra has always been an important economic region for the country. Over the centuries it has witnessed gradual economic development especially in the tertiary sector. The city is well connected to Patna, the capital of Bihar and has good connectivity through national highways to other regions of economic importance. The city has a vibrant economy with the population engaged in a variety of economic activities.
Agrarian Economy in Chhapra
Economy of Chhapra is much more dependent on agriculture. Rice and wheat are the two main cash crops, followed by maize, potato and mango. Chhapra is also a cattle concentrated area and rearing milch cows has been one of the oldest occupations of the people here. In fact, the area stands 7th in the milk density in the entire state. The two major milk chilling centres of the area are lpcated at Marhaura and Chhapra Sadar. Due to the opportunities of agriculture, the area as led to the beginnings of some good agri businesses as well like the repair and servicing of equipments, marketing and dealership of diesel engines and pump sets. Apart from these, a unique feature of the region is the growth of pisciculture due to numerous ponds, streams, and rivers.
Manufacturing Units in Chhapra
Chhapra has a high concentration of readymade garment manufacturing units in Sahebgunj where households are involved in manufacturing dresses, petticoats and also mosquito nets. It also has over 40 and 30 leather shoe producing households in Salempur and Sahebganj areas respectively. Other significant household industries in the region include bamboo-basket weaving, ‘bindi’ and ‘tikli’ manufacture, broom and rope-making, bangle-packaging, brass utensil manufacture, pottery and soap-making which provide a good source of livelihood to many families. Other similar household industries include embroidery, design and silk-screen printing and tailoring.
Trade and Commerce in Chhapra
The main area of enterprise activity in Chhapra include trading of agricultural produce, small scale and cottage industries like grill gate manufacturing, bindi making, broom making along with services in education and health. Construction, Railways and Public Administration account for a large percentage of the DDP value of tertiary services in this region. Many people are also engaged in the food processing industry which includes products such as packaged milk, unbranded edible grains, milled rice, etc. In addition there are also products like biscuits, bread, pickles, jams, jellies, chips and other snacks, sauces, crushes, syrups, tinned items, dehydrated food products, herbal products, and processed products. All these have become a very important source of livelihood for scores of women in the area who find themselves earning a stable income for the family.
