Alternative agricultural enterprises

OBJECTIVE:

1. Assess the factors that encouraged the growth and development of alternative agricultural crops.

Peasant farming describes small-scale farming for subsistence as well as for cash sale in the market. Initially, small farmers in the British Caribbean produced crops for domestic use as well as for sale in the market. However, after 1860, these farmers began to export their crops.

REASONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE CROPS

After 1834, small-scale agriculture grew out of the free-village movement as free blacks were determined to leave the sugar estate. Ex-slaves wanted to become independent of estate labour and to earn a living from the cultivation of small crops. Second, the decline of the sugar industry during the 19th century led to the cultivation of alternative export crops. West Indians needed to find new ways of earning a living. These new crops developed fastest from the 1890s, when sugar prices slumped. Finally, peasant farmers could afford to cultivate new crops as no large amount of capital nor expensive equipment was required. Land was available and small plots of land could produce favourable yields. Markets were available locally and abroad for the sale of these crops.

There were several methods by which blacks were able to acquire land. These included: a) Ex-slaves squatted on Crown land. b) The missionaries in Jamaica assisted ex-slaves to acquire land.

c) Land speculators sold land to the ex-slaves.

d) Ex-slaves pooled their resources to buy land (in the case of British Guiana).

e) Planters sold unused estate lands to the ex-slaves.

GROWTH OF THE PEASANTRY

Peasant farming was confined to territories where land was available for ex-slaves to acquire. Large territories such as Jamaica, British Guiana and Trinidad had land available, so ex-slaves were able to develop peasant farming. However, in these territories, sugar was the main export crop. In the Windward Islands, sugar became unprofitable, so new crops were cultivated. Land was available in the hills of the Windward Islands for cultivation of these new crops. In Antigua, St Kitts and Barbados, the scarcity of land made it difficult to withdraw from plantation labour. The peasantry was slow in developing in these areas.

The Royal Commission of 1896-97 made a number of recommendations encouraging the development of smallcrop cultivation in the British Caribbean. These included:

a) The suggestion of a land-settlement scheme to encourage small farming. In addition, there should be the creation of banks to provide financial assistance to farmers.

b) The diversification of crops, especially fruits.

c) The establishment of agricultural departments and agricultural education in schools to help with the development of scientific cultivation.

d) The improvement of communication, in particular with the steamers from New York.

ALTERNATIVE CROPS AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT

NEW CROPS TERRITORIES

1. Rice British Guiana

2. Bananas Jamaica

3. Limes Dominica, St Lucia

4. Sea Island Montserrat, St Vincent cotton

5. Cocoa Trinidad, Grenada, St Lucia, Dominica 6. Arrowroot St Vincent 7. Rubber Trinidad, British Guiana 8. Coconuts Trinidad, Nevis

SOCIAL EFFECTS OF THE SUCCESSFUL ESTABLISHMENT OF MARKETS FOR NEW CROPS

1. The peasant farmer class grew in number and importance as sugar plantation agriculture declined, so peasant production became vital to the economies of many territories, particularly in the Lesser Antilles.

2. Peasant farmers were able to improve their standard of living from the income earned from the sale of new crops.

3. The establishment of banks encouraged small farmers to save money earned from the sale of crops. Perhaps, later this money was used to buy new equipment or more land.