THE IMPACT OF COLONIALISM ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN GALADIMA DISTRICT, KATSINA EMIRATE 1903

Abstract:

Some historians and political analysts are of the opinion that colonialism had benefited the colonized communities in the areas of civilization, agriculture, improved technology, economy and so on. Our study attempt to argue that this assertion in relation to Galadima district our area of study is not true, rather, colonialism had negative impacts. It was a one armed bandit, a plunder, a grab on our economic resources namely cotton, groundnut, hides and skins, through excessive exploitation, monopoly, and unequal terms of relationships, resulting to our present predicament of underdevelopment and impoverishment. The study focused on the impacts of colonialism on agricultural production of Galadima district an attempt to argue that colonial agricultural policies and practices did not stimulate export crops production in order to develop our communities. It did not improve the agricultural technology or the peasant‟s skills in productivity. Rather, it failed to enhance the local crafts and industries, commerce and pastoralism and it did not build the capacity of the people to have control over their socio-economic affairs, But it stimulated production of export crops to the advantage of the colonialists and they used „taxation technique,‟ on the colonised to foster smooth colonial administration. Colonial administration also stimulated hunger, poverty, indebtedness and destitution in Galadima district. The only good thing about colonialism was when it came to an end. Colonialism in its totality, underdeveloped Galadima district and undermined its agricultural viability and economic independence, so also its peaceful co-existence, transforming it to a chaotic and stagnating society.

THE IMPACT OF COLONIALISM ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN GALADIMA DISTRICT, KATSINA EMIRATE 1903 – 1960