Impact of Colonial Rule on Food Crops Production in Annang, Calabar Province, Nigeria, 1900-1960

Abstract

 This paper examines the impact of colonial rule on food crops production
in Annang. The study interrogates how British rule subordinated Annang
indigenous economy. The study adopts the historical method, relying extensively on secondary sources and primary information obtained from archival sources. The study reveals that Annang economy survived having been overshadowed by the economic policies created by the British. It shows that food crops production was disregarded in favour of cash crops production. The indigenous economy was undermined under the colonial dispensation. The paper concludes that until the emergence of the British rule in Annang, the people who were mainly peasant farmers were able to produce basic food crops to meet their needs. They did not experienced shortage of basic food items. All this changed with imposition of colonial in the area. The paper also examines the factors that caused the shortages of foodstuffs in Annang and the efforts made by the colonial authorities to solve them. It suggests that Nigeria government should learn from the Annang colonial experience.