Alternative Crops

Objectives

Students should be able to

1. State the reasons for an enquiry into the state of the sugar
industry in the late 1800s.
2. Outline the recommendations made by the Commission
3. List alternative agricultural enterprises in the British Caribbean
4. Discuss the factors which contributed to the growth and survival
of the crops
5. Assess the factors which negatively affected the growth and
survival of the crops
6. Assess the factors which positively affected the growth and
survival of the crops
 The Royal Commission 1882 - 1883

Many British Caribbean colonies acquired loans between 1848-1853 and could not
repay so a commission was sent to enquire into the revenues and expenditure of the
colonies.

The Commission also made an enquiry into the state of the sugar industry , noted its
decline and recommended the diversification of crops to small farmers. The
Commission could not suggest much to help the planters compete with beet sugar.
 The Norman Commission -1896

Read page 122 of Emancipation to Emigration and state the possible reason
for the decline in the British Caribbean Sugar Industry and why a
Commission was sent again.
 The Norman Commission - 1896

Due to fall in sugar prices the Norman Commission made an

enquiry into the industry and recommended that only in some
territories sugar should remain the staple crop and the others
should diversify.
Name the territories
 The Norman Commission

Read page 122 of Emancipation to Emigration and list the recommendations

made by the Norman Commission
NAME THE CROPS
Identify the Territories in Which Each Crop is Grown
Factors Responsible For Growth and Survival of Alternative Crops

● Government Policy
● Entrepreneurship
● Investment Capital
● Markets
● Education and Training
 Factors Which Gave Rise to
Alternative Crops

Students will be given some factors which gave rise to alternative crops
and they will be required to group them under the headings listed on prior
slide and given reason for their choice.
 Factors Which Gave Rise to Alternative Agricultural Enterprises

Government Policy
Small government loans were available at low interests rates to finance non- sugar crops. Government subsidy was available
for the development of steamship communication from eg. St. Vincent and Dominica to New York, for the export of fruits.

The remits of departments of agriculture eg. Barbados and Trinidad introduced research into alternative crops and
facilitated an alternative economic culture.

Resettlement of peasants on Crown Land, eg. St. Vincent. This was significant as the peasants were the main economic
actors involved in the cultivation of these crops

In 1898 grant of roads eg. in Dominica, which facilitated travel to and from markets for the peasantry engaged in alternate
crop production.
 Factors Which Gave Rise to Alternative Agricultural Enterprise

Entrepreneurship
Increase in number of small farmers across the region, who were involved in non- sugar activities especially
in smaller territories eg. St. Kitts & Nevis, contributed to the growth and survival of these industries

Foreign entrepreneurs also helped to develop coffee, banana, cotton , livestock etc. For eg. the United Fruit
Company helped develop the banana industry in Jamaica and elsewhere, and German entrepreneurs helped
to develop the cocoa industry in Trinidad and Tobago

After the involvement of the United Fruit Company, many sugar planters ventured into banana and other
non-sugar crop cultivation
 Factors Which Gave Rise to Alternative Agricultural Enterprises

Investment Capital

By the late 19th century, British Capital began to flow toward non-sugar alternatives. This was
facilitated by the financial crisis in UK and the “bounty sugar depression” of the 1880s which affected
the availability of capital for sugar production. Non-sugar alternatives did not need the huge capital
amount associated with sugar

Government also made small loans available at low interest rates to finance non-sugar crops

Capital injection provided by some non - British overseas concerning. Boston/United Fruit Company
was significant for the survival of these businesses
 Factors Which Gave Rise to Alternative Agricultural Enterprises

Markets
New York became important banana port, assisting in the growth of the industry..
Boston became important banana port, thus contributing to the expansion of the
industry
Expansion of US demands for citrus, cocoa, spices and bananas. European markets also
opened for caribbean fruits eg. London. This contributed to further expansion of non-
sugar enterprises
Canadian markets opened for Caribbean crops which aided in the growth and survival
of alternatives industries. Florida also became a market for non-sugar
Growth of world demand for cocoa, arising out of the expansion of the confectionary
 Education and Training

Introduction of agricultural and industrial

education. Botanic departments to have agricultural
schools attached.
Name Factors Which Negatively Affected the Survival
of the Crops

Piontomceti
Ruatnal sditresas Wlo Sicpre

Saesidse Sipsdreosne
 Factors Which Negatively Affected the Survival of the Crops

● Natural disasters- storms/hurricanes

● Foreign Competition
● Plant pests and Diseases
● Depressions and low world prices particularly between 1920 and 1929
 Match the Following Diseases to the Crop Which It Affected

Diseases - Witch Broom, Pink Bollworm, Panana, Leaf Spot and White Tip

Crop Disease

Banana

Limes

Cotton

Cocoa
 Factors Which Negatively Affected the Survival of the
Crops
★ Banana - affected by Panama disease in 1912, the Great Depression in
1929 and leaf spot disease in 1934
★ Limes - White tip disease, competition from artificial citric acid in the
1920s
★ Cotton - Pink Bollworm disease and changes in fashion
★ Cocoa - Witch Broom disease and competition from West Africa
★ Rice- competition from Burma and Thailand
 Factors Which Positively Affected the Survival of the Crops

● Creation of the Imperial Department of Agriculture and the

College of Tropical Agriculture in Trinidad
● Creation of local departments of agriculture in Trinidad and Jamaica
in 1908- they carried out research into new varieties, methods of
cultivation, extension services.
In groups students will research the factors which affected the growth and survival of the crops
above and add responses to a google document.
Difficulties Faced by Farmers and Ways They Tried to Overcome

Crop Territories Difficulties Faced By Farmers Ways Farmers Tried to

Overcome Difficulties

Banana

Rice

Coffee

Cocoa