Farming, Colonialism, and Economic Distress in Gusau District, 1929–1938

This study analyzes agriculture in Gusau District under colonial rule during the economic crisis of 1929–1938, focusing on how colonial policies, rail transport development, and the global economic downturn influenced agricultural production and rural livelihoods. Following the establishment of Gusau as a railhead in 1929 and its emergence as a major administrative centre in the Eastern Sokoto Emirate, the district became an important hub for cash crop marketing and export. The research highlights how colonial emphasis on export-oriented agriculture, taxation, and market integration reshaped indigenous farming systems, often prioritizing imperial economic interests over local food security. It further shows that falling commodity prices and increased economic pressures during the Great Depression adversely affected farmers’ incomes and welfare. Despite these challenges, local farmers adopted adaptive strategies such as adjusting cropping patterns and strengthening subsistence production. The study concludes that agriculture in Gusau District during this period was characterized by both structural exploitation and local resilience, reflecting the complex impacts of colonialism on agrarian change in Northern Nigeria.