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The Colonial Government and the Establishment of Cotton Production in Bungoma County, Kenya (1895-1923)
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: History
Abstract
This study examines the role of the British colonial government in introducing and establishing cotton production in Bungoma County, Kenya, between 1895 and 1923. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates archival records, oral histories, and secondary literature to analyze the policies, strategies, and impacts of early cotton cultivation in the region. The study finds that the colonial administration strategically introduced cotton as part of its broader economic policy to generate revenue and secure raw materials for British industries. Colonial strategies for promoting cotton included infrastructure development, extension services, and controlled marketing arrangements. While cotton brought new economic opportunities to Bungoma County, it also reshaped local agricultural systems and social structures in profound ways. Early cotton cultivation faced significant challenges, including environmental issues, labor demands, and resistance from some local communities. Quantitative data show a rapid expansion of cotton production, with acreage increasing from negligible amounts in 1910 to 10,000 acres by 1925. The study concludes that the introduction of cotton initiated long-term changes in land use, labor allocation, and social structures in rural areas, contributing to the region's integration into global market systems. These findings enhance our understanding of the complex interplay between colonial economic objectives and local realities in shaping agricultural development in East Africa during the early 20th century.
Keywords
Colonial Government, Establishment of Cotton Production
References
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[2] Bassett, T. J. (2014). The peasant cotton revolution in West Africa: Côte d'Ivoire, 1880-1995. Cambridge University Press.
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[4] Brett, E. A. (1973). Colonialism and underdevelopment in East Africa: The politics of economic change, 1919-1939. Heinemann.
[5] Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2017). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). Sage.
[6] Isaacman, A., & Roberts, R. (Eds.). (1995). Cotton, colonialism, and social history in sub-Saharan Africa. Heinemann.
[7] Kamau, P., Mathenge, M., Kirimi, L., & Onyango, K. (2018). Cotton and its by-products sector in Kenya. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
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[11] Wakhungu, J. W., Wamuongo, J., & Ouda, J. O. (2014). Cotton production in Kenya: The emerging trends, challenges and opportunities: A policy brief. African Centre for Technology Studies.
[12] Wanjala, W., & Zhang, Q. (2018). Socio-economic factors influencing cotton production among smallholder farmers in Bungoma county, Kenya. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 10(12), 265-273.
How to cite this paper
@article{1706137,
author = {Sostine Wanjala Mukhebi, Paul Opondo, Margaret Nanjala Matisi},
title = {The Colonial Government and the Establishment of Cotton Production in Bungoma County, Kenya (1895-1923)},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2024},
volume = {8},
number = {2},
pages = {217-222},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1706137.pdf},
abstract = {This study examines the role of the British colonial government in introducing and establishing cotton production in Bungoma County, Kenya, between 1895 and 1923. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates archival records, oral histories, and secondary literature to analyze the policies, strategies, and impacts of early cotton cultivation in the region. The study finds that the colonial administration strategically introduced cotton as part of its broader economic policy to generate revenue and secure raw materials for British industries. Colonial strategies for promoting cotton included infrastructure development, extension services, and controlled marketing arrangements. While cotton brought new economic opportunities to Bungoma County, it also reshaped local agricultural systems and social structures in profound ways. Early cotton cultivation faced significant challenges, including environmental issues, labor demands, and resistance from some local communities. Quantitative data show a rapid expansion of cotton production, with acreage increasing from negligible amounts in 1910 to 10,000 acres by 1925. The study concludes that the introduction of cotton initiated long-term changes in land use, labor allocation, and social structures in rural areas, contributing to the region's integration into global market systems. These findings enhance our understanding of the complex interplay between colonial economic objectives and local realities in shaping agricultural development in East Africa during the early 20th century.},
keywords = {Colonial Government, Establishment of Cotton Production},
month = {August},
}