FOOD PRODUCTION IN OKE OGUN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA, 1900 – 1999

Abstract

Oke Ogun in Oyo North region of Oyo State has been one of the largest producers of food crops in the pre-colonial and early period of British colonial rule in southwestern Nigeria. Existing historical studies on Oke Ogun have concentrated on the socio-cultural and religious aspects of the lives of the people, with little attention to food production and its dynamics. This study was, therefore, designed to examine food production in Oke Ogun, with a view to analysing its changing patterns and effects on rural livelihood between 1900, which marked the commencement of colonial rule, and 1999 when the Oyo North Agricultural Development Programme was converted to Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme. The study adopted the historical approach, while the interpretive design was used. Primary and secondary sources were utilised. Primary sources included oral interviews and archival materials. Archival materials such as annual reports and newspapers were obtained from the National Archives, Ibadan. Oral interviews were conducted with 40 purposively selected persons aged between 45 and 95 for their knowledge of food production in Oke Ogun. They were two lecturers, eight retired teachers, 15 farmers, eight civil servants and seven traders. Secondary sources including books, journals, dissertations, theses and papers were consulted. Data were subjected to historical analysis. Food production was the mainstay of the rural economy in Oke Ogun prior to the advent of colonial rule. The introduction of cash crops such as tobacco and cotton to Oke Ogun in the 1930s was received with great enthusiasm among farmers due to its lucrative nature. However, it diminished the production of food crops. Land, labour, and other means of production that were used for the cultivation of food crops were redeployed for cash crop plantations. This caused eventual food scarcity in the region. In the 1950s, the Western region government identified agriculture as being fundamental to the progress of the nation so as to increase food production and self-sufficiency in food supply. The Farm Settlement Scheme of 1959 initiated by the government of Western Nigeria encouraged the youths to pursue careers in farming. The Operation Feed the Nation Programme of 1976 created significant awareness of mechanised farming system. This led to the establishment of Asamu Farms Limited, specialising in maize plantation at Okaka; Oyo North Agricultural Development Programme between 1982 and 1990, and the National Agricultural Land Development Authority between 1992 and 1999. This promoted food production in Oke Ogun. The challenges faced were inadequate funding, bad roads and thefrequent attacks by Fulani herdsmenon farmers, all of which reduced interest in food crops production. Food crops production that boosted the economy of Oke Ogun declined due to the promotion of cash crop plantations and the menace of pastoralists. Government interventions remain crucial in sustaining food crops production in Oke Ogun in the 20th Century.