Which of the following factors contributed most to cash crop production during the colonial administration in Nigeria?
Answer Details
Forced labor contributed most to cash crop production during the colonial administration in Nigeria.
Cash crops such as cocoa, palm oil, and groundnuts were grown extensively in Nigeria during the colonial period and served as major export commodities for the British Empire. These crops were cultivated on large plantations and required significant labor to produce.
The colonial authorities in Nigeria relied heavily on forced labor to produce these crops. Local communities were often forced to provide labor for the plantations, and workers were subjected to harsh conditions, including long hours and low pay. This exploitation of labor allowed the colonial authorities to maintain a cheap and abundant workforce, which was essential for the profitable production of cash crops.
While education and pacification were also factors in the colonial administration, they were not as significant as forced labor in the production of cash crops. Education, in particular, was not widely accessible to the general population during the colonial period, and only a small elite had access to formal education. Pacification efforts, while important for maintaining colonial control, did not directly contribute to the production of cash crops.
Taxation was also used by the colonial authorities to generate revenue, but it was not a direct contributor to cash crop production. Instead, taxes were often collected in the form of agricultural produce, which was then sold or exported by the colonial authorities for profit.