Groundnut Production in the Colonial Economy and Society of Kilba District of Adamawa Province in Northern Nigeria, 1904–1960
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Abstract
Groundnut was one of the major export crop produced in colonial Northern Nigerian Districts, Divisions and Provinces. In view of that, this paper through historical method of data collection, and employment of primary and secondary source materials, examines groundnut production in the colonial economy and society of Kilba District of Adamawa Province from 1904 when Kilba District was occupied and then to 1960 which marked the independence of Nigeria and era of neo-colonialism. However, the paper argues that, in the pre-colonial Kilba society groundnut was initially cultivated by women, but with the advent of British colonialism, it was cultivated by both men and women due to its great economic benefit. This led to wealth creation, development of entrepreneurship and the emergence of myriad classes of intermediary agents, brokers, middlemen and clients, source of revenue to pay colonial taxes, school fees and obtain loans through a credit system to boast groundnut production. During the Second World War (1939–1945) coupled with satisfactory prices in the markets and there was availability of seed with no restriction to planting, technical advice, provision of farm implements, fertilizer, chemicals for storage, dressing seed and buying stations. In fact, groundnut production became one of the cultural identity of Kilba people during and beyond the colonial period. In conclusion, the paper notes that, locust invasion (1933/1934), malpractices of colonial firms and middlemen, exorbitant loan and credit system, lack of good roads and means of transport, forced Kilba people into extensive use of donkeys and head porterage. This had indeed discouraged large scale production in Kilba District as compared to other Northern Provinces, especially Kano and Katsina.
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