International Journal of Arts and Humanities

Origin and Development of Cotton Production and Trade in Colonial Lafia Societies, 1903–1960

Abstract:  The Lafia area is naturally endowed with abundant natural resources—a suitable environment and arable land that supports every kind of agricultural activity and crop production. This paper attempts to x-ray the origin and development of cotton production and trade in colonial Lafia societies from 1903–1960. The article is largely concerned with the arrival of British colonial authority, who, without hesitation, concentrate on trade in cotton as one of the major cash crops for their home abroad. It is fascinating to note that cotton became so lucrative in the Lafia Local Government Area that its production and trade have led to the intrusion of both external and internal multinational corporations in the quest for this crop. The study employs both primary and secondary sources of data collection and adopts qualitative and quantitative methods of historical research in its analysis.

Keywords: Origin, Development, Cotton, Production, Trade