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THE PRODUCTION OF
SUGARCANE, IRISH POTATO AND OTHER TRADITIONAL TUBER CROPS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of
the Study
The choice of agricultural land used has for some times, been
a focus of many research efforts by researchers
Most of Nigerian rural populations are, including
geographers, ecologists and economists. In crop agriculture in particular, the
emphasis is on the distribution of the crops, soil type and the types of other
rural economy that will enhance man’s livelihood. farmers who engage in the
cultivation of various crops for their livelihood. However, the production of
these crops depends largely on natural and human factors such as climate, soil,
topography agricultural inputs and political factors.
Agriculture is a vital base for the existence of any society
in the world and also one of the major sectors of the Nigerian economy which
generates about 50% of the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP).Crop
production is paramount
where a greater number
of people are self employed to ensure a food situation that will feed the
increasing population of the area. Besides most manufacturing industries use
agricultural products (agro-base).1
Food production is obviously one of the most important human
activities. The history of agriculture which also includes agricultural tools
dates back to perhaps between 7,000 and 4,000 B.C.2 It is difficult and sometimes misleading to
point out a single origin of agriculture because at different times and in
different places many plants and animals have been domesticated depending on
the climate, taste of the people and availability of such species in a given
area. Thus, each society has its independent history of plant and animal
domestication.
Generally speaking, the domestication of plants and animals
started during the Neolithic period. The earliest form of agriculture involved
the use of crude tools of stones and wood and most of the crops and animals
domesticated were found around Man.3 With the migration of people from one
region to the other, there was the diffusion of agricultural practices and
ideas among various societies.
The domestication of plants and animals is one of the most
important breakthroughs in the history of man because it had and still has some
far reaching consequences on his way of life. Man, who was initially a
hunter-gatherer, abandon such life and took to sedentism (settling down in one
place) after mastering the seasons and careful selection of plants and animal
species. Domestication guaranteed a steady supply and man concentrated on production which surplus
was generated. The existence of a surplus made it possible for man to store for
future use and partly for exchange. Surplus also enabled man to have plenty of
leisure times to be involved in other economic pursuits such as manufacturing
(handicrafts), trading and the invention of new ideas to ease his problems.
Thus, as the physical and mental ability of man developed so
also did he apply these to various activities including agriculture. In most
African societies in general, and in Mwaghavul land in particular, the system
of traditional agriculture adopted by farmers, have always been able to produce
an adequate food supply. Mass famines have been very rare, except for pest
attacks and bad farming seasons.4
sugar cane now one of the major grass plant produced for
consumption which also serves as a source of raw material in sugar
manufacturing industries in many parts of West Africa, most importantly it is a
source of sustainable clean energy that is free from pollutants. In Mwaghavul
Land in particular, the south western part of the Local Government, Sugarcane
is an important crop apart from maize (zea mays), Soyabeans (glyane max), Sweet
potato (ipomea batatas), Cocoyam and others. Sugarcane, a tall perennial grass
is a specie and hybrid that belong to the family of gramineae. It is indigenous
to tropical South and Southeast Asia. Around the eighth Century AD, Arab
traders introduced sugarcane from south Asia to the other parts of the Abbasid
Caliphate in the Mediterranean, Mesopotamia, Egypt, North Africa, and Andalusia
and into the riverine areas of West Africa like Burkinafaso, Nigeria, Ghana and
Liberia. They are grown in swamps in northern Nigeria around Kano Bida, Zaria
and Sokoto.5
Irish potatoe, which was first domesticated in the region of
modern day southern Peru and extreme northwestern Bolivia between 8000 and 5000
BC has since spread around the world and become a staple crop in many countries
it is believed that it entered Africa with the coming of the colonialist who
consumed it as vegetable rather than as staple starch. It was first grown
mostly at the Canary Islands.6
In Mwaghavul land, Kerang, Ampang West and Mangun districts
of Mangu, Irish potatoes was grown for
early missionary consumption. Latter it was grown for commercial purposes. With
improved varieties it was wide spread on the central and southern plateau
1.2 Aims and
Objectives of the Study
The paramount aim of this study is to;
i. To state the economic and
agricultural values of these crops over the pre-existing traditional tuber
crops.
ii. To see the changing nature and
challenges between the production of traditional food crops and the
introduction of other cash crops such as sugarcane, Irish potato, cocoyam etc.
iii. To see whether or not these new
crops have added to food security in Mwaghavul land.
iv. The objective of this study is to
identify the challenges faced by the introduction of these crops.
v. To identify how farmers cope with
the cultivation and adaptation of the new crops.
vi. To state the progress made and new
production methods,
a. Marketability
and storage.
1.3 Statement of the
Problem
Every researchable topic has a “problem”. According to
meekya, the research problem is an academic perplexing question posted for
solution.
Therefore, the problems associated with this study include;
A. Search to know the
economic value of the production of sugarcane, Irish potatoes e.t.c in Mwaghavul land.
To identify reasons for their wide acceptance by farmers over
other traditional tubers or food crops such as (millet, small cocoyam, and
others as did mentioned.
A. To identify the
varieties introduced and their adaptability in the region.
B. Search to know
when these crops were introduced, to identify the extent of which they have
been resistant to pest and diseases. To identify the type of fertilizer and
nutrients suitable for cultivation of the crops.
1.4 Significance and Justifications of the Study
For a long time, historians and agriculturalist have
concentrated their attention on tracing; the origins, distribution and impact
of such crops as Maize, Plantain, Banana, Oil palm, Kola, Cotton, Tobacco, Groundnut
in Nigeria; The jos plateau and Mwaghavul land in particular given lesser or no
attention to sugarcane and Irish potatoe farming as well as in other food and
cash crops.
The few that carried out research on agricultural crop
production include; Goshit Z.D (2000), Lohor S.A (1994), Chandighis, K.M
(2009), Jallo P.J.(2008), and Nwanan Istifanus (2006).There is therefore, the
need to study the introduction of these crops following the increase changes in
the production of both crops (Sugarcane and Irish potato). Crop production,
though not a new area of
scholarship but the centrality of the production of these
crops makes the study compelling.
The research apart
from analyzing the attitude of the people towards the new crops production, it
also highlight the measures taken by the farmers during colonial and the
post-colonial cultivation of their food crops to transforming crops production
in Mwaghavul land. The study is important because it reveals how and why the
production of new crops gain wide acceptance and has become leading crops in
Mwaghavul land compare to the traditional crops. This can be seen by the
numbers of traders coming from other parts of plateau and Nigeria to buy them
and also by the local developments that has accrue as a result of the
production of these crops.
Though most of the production is done by the peasants using
local technology, there is an increasing need for government to assist them
with modern farm inputs to enhance much better yields. This can help to solve
the problem of food insecurity in Mwaghavul land, Plateau and Nigeria.
1.5 Scope and
Limitation of the Study
This research covers
the period from 1850-2014 that is to say from pre-colonial to post-colonial
periods.
Secondly, the research focuses largely on the production of
sugarcane and Irish potatoe and their economic value over other traditional
crops in Mwaghavul land.
Thirdly, this dissertation concerns itself with the factors
which made this production visible in Mwaghavul land.
Most importantly, the research is limited to Mwaghavul land
which has nine districts namely, Mangu, Panyam, Pushit, Kereng, Ampang West,
Mangun, Mangu Halle, Chakfem and Jipal out of which none is lacking in the
production of these crops but at different levels.
1.6 The Geography of the
Study Area
Mwaghavul land and chiefdom is located in the south-eastern
escarpment of Jos, and covers a land area of about 295 square kilometres. It is
about 70 kilometres south-east of Jos town, the state capital of Plateau state,
and it is bounded in the North by Barkin Ladi LGA (Berom land), in the South
East by Pankshin Local Government Area. To the East by Gindiri, Pyem Chiefdom
and to the South and West by Qua’an Pan and Bokkos Local Government Areas
respectively. The land also covers an area of about 64 square kilometers from
Kantoma to Chakfem (north to south) and from Tileng-Mpat to Kombun (east to
west) is a distance of about 44 square kilometers.8
The population of the area has been on the increase over the
years. According to the population census of 1934, Mwaghavul people in
Mwaghavul land numbered 20,265 and rose to 59,625 in 1963 and the population is
pegged at 2341,103 according to the 2006 population census.9
The land is drained by a network of streams and rivers from
neighbouring and upland communities from tributary rivers. Its major streams
are Dunglaar (Mangu Helle) and Dung wurang (Mangu), which are before Mangu town
when coming from Jos. The third is Dung Rim (Daika) between Mangu town and
Daika, Dung Ndai between Daika and Dung
Pungak at kerang, Dung Shangkwahal and Dung Kisak at Kopshu (Ampang West), and
Dung Yinaat (Panyam).10
Spring waters are found at Niyes and Lankasta, (Panyam) and
amshal at Konji (Kerang), this produces SWAN water which is sold nation wide.
These spring all year round and support the irrigation of crops such as Irish
potatoes and sugar cane as well as other vegetables. The Ampidong, a crater
lake located at Ampang West and has been attracting national and international
geographers and tourists, supplies Bwonpe agriculturalist with the needed water
as well as the Mufil Irish plantation in
Ampang West at mostly dry season.11
The original vegetation of the land was largely Guinea
Savannah due to the human activities, it has been replaced with secondary
vegetations. The primary vegetations were tall grasses and trees such as Twaas,
Khir, Pichom. The secondary vegetations were planted by individuals and
government agricultural agencies like the forest along Mangu-Panyam road at
Ndai. The trees include eucalyptus, mango, and guava to mention a few.12
1.7 Method of Data
Collection
This research work depends on various sources of history.
These sources can be broadly classified into primary, secondary and tertiary
sources. The primary sources include oral interviews which involves interviews
conducted at random with the people of the study area, especially adults whose
occupation is crop production and whose ages range from forty years and above
and are currently residing in the area. Others include agricultural officials
and business men whom are involved in the sale of these crops.
Other relevant primary
sources are archival materials. Many Nigerian states have National Archives
that house different forms of raw data considered to be of valuable importance
to historians. These include official documents such as annual reports, statistical
surveys, population census report of colonial and post-colonial periods,
especially the ones that concerns the topic of this research have been
consulted.
The secondary sources
are materials already existing on issues related to the topic. These include
works of historians, economists, geographers, and scientist and
agriculturalists among others, hence the reliance on multidisciplinary
approach. These materials can be found in national and state libraries as well
as libraries of school and colleges and universities in Nigeria.
1.8 Definition Of
Concepts
This is rather a broad
topic to be tackled than examining just some parochial questions. Thus, the
research work is titled “The Production of Sugarcane and Irish Potato and Other
Traditional Tuber Crops in Mwaghavul Land, Challenges and prospects
(1850-1970). To really get an insight into what it is all about, a clear
definition of key concepts like production, Sugarcane, Irish potato,
traditional, Tuber crop, Mwaghavul land challenge and prospects is paramount.
i. Production; The encyclopedia
Britannica volume 1, 15th edition;
Defines Production as the relationship between the amount of output produced
and the quantities of the inputs such as labour and capital used. The underlying
assumption is that producers seek to maximize the output that can be obtained
from given quantities of inputs by choosing the most efficient methods of
production available.13
Also the
chambers 21st Century Dictionary Revise Edition 1996; defines Production as the
act or process of producing something. It can be a series of activities carried
out in sequence as part of a manufacturing process that will field a lot or
become more fruitful.14
ii. Crop; A plant, especially a cereal,
grown to be harvested as food, livestock fodder, or fuel or for any other
economic purpose. Usually for a specific year.15
iii. Thomas F. Described Sugarcane as a large coarse grass
with shoots (culms) reaching height up to 6m. Having sold shoots weight. The
dark sticky sugar initially extracted from the culms consists of sucrose,
glucose and small amount of protein, minerals, organic and peptic gum ash and
pigments.16
iv. Irish potato is an edible tuber
from solanum tuberosum plant, which is actually native to South America not
Ireland. Irish potato are named after Ireland because they are closely
associated with the Irish potato famine, caused by mould infestation of the
Irish potato crop or white potato to creamy white fresh boiled, fried or
roasted or turn into potato salad.17
v. Mwaghavul language. It is among
the Afro Asiatic languages spoken on the Jos plateau and it belongs to the
Chadic sub-family as indicated by Lohor et al (2011). It is located in the
south-eastern escarpment of Jos, and covered a land area of about 295 square
kilometers.18
vi. Challenge is defined as a new or
difficult task that tests somebody’s ability and skill.
vii.
Prospect: the possibility that something will happen.
Both terms have
been defined by the Oxford Advanced Learners
Dictionary 6th
Edition.19
viii.
Traditional as to crop according to the encyclopedia 15th edition refers
to those communicated from ancestors to descendants without writing, but as
traditional opinion20.
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