SOURCE:

Faculty: Arts
Department: History & International Studies

CONTRIBUTORS:

Agu, I.K.S;
Chukwu, D.O;

ABSTRACT:

Rice is one of the most consumed staple crops by the majority of Nigerians. During the early years of British colonial rule, government tended to neglect the production of staple crops in favour of cash crops for exports. The policy that encouraged the production of food crops and subsequent introduction of Asian rice, waited until the global economic depression of the 1930s, which necessitated the colonial government to encourage rice production. Following this, rice began to be cultivated in large quantities in some parts of the Eastern Region of Nigeria. The Abakaliki area in Igboland was one of the most reputed rice-producing areas in the region. This situation potentially affected the relationship between the rice industry and other sectors of the economy in the area. Consequent upon this, the crop offered better opportunities for the growth of Abakaliki. This study, therefore, examines the place of rice in the economy of Abakaliki. It underscores the opportunities offered by the activities surrounding its production in the area. It also considers the challenges known to be responsible for the inability of the rice industry in meeting domestic demand. The study is presented in themes as data are collected from primary, secondary and tertiary sources. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of data are also employed in this study. The study found that the rice industry in Abakaliki between 1940 and 2011 empowered the people. The activities that surround rice production necessitate the emergence of a wealthy class and tended to reduce rural poverty in Abakaliki in the period under study. Attempts are also made to outline useful recommendations such as government policy approaches, public and private partnerships in rice production, among others. These efforts would likely contribute to an improved rice economy in the study area.