The system of Agriculture before the coming of the British was subsistence and by 1900 nothing much had changed. Each family was producing only enough food for its survival until the next farming session. However, after establishing their rule, the British transformed Agriculture in East Africa. This was done through the introduction of cash crops, like cotton, coffee tobacco and tea. The British colonial policy intended to make Uganda and Kenya produce raw materials like coffee and cotton to feed the industries back in their countries. In Communities such as the south western parts of Uganda, there was large scale Agriculture and the British thought that these communities would easily adapt growing of cash crops. The Growing of cash crops was another way of integrating East African countries in the cash crop economy .The East African countries shifted from subsistence farming to growing crops for sale. Agricultural Development also created employment opportunities for the locals in East Africa
Cotton growing was introduced to the East African Agriculture Economy. Cotton seeds were first distributed in 1904 and Ginneries were also established to help in the processing of the cotton.The presence of the Railway line also enabled easy transportation of cotton from the gardens to the ginneries. This cotton would then be sent to European textile industries Coffee Growing Coffee growing was also introduced by the colonialists around 1920. Arabica coffee was majorly grown in Buganda and South western Uganda, while Robusta Coffee was grown in Busoga and Bugisu. It was also grown in Kenya and Tanganyika. Colonialists ensured that coffee was grown on large scale such that they would get enough to supply to European beverage Industries. Other crops that were introduced include Sugarcane, Tobacco in Uganda, Tea, sisal, Pyrethrum and Wheat in Kenya. Tanzania specialized in the growing of coconut, groundnut, rubber and rice. Small scale farming was encouraged as opposed to settler Farming that was in Kenya. Missionaries as well as the Protectorate government supported Agriculture in East Africa. Peasant farming was encouraged, cooperative societies were formed and the government pledged to support peasant farmers. Stock farming in Kenya Highlands Some settlers tried rearing of sheep, pigs and cattle. However, it was unsuccessful due to problems of coastal fever and Animal raids Dairy farming Around 1920 Lord Delamere tried dairy-farming; He established a creamery in 1925 and by 1930. Kenya had started exporting butter outside the country. By 1937, Kenyan farmers formed an association. Its main aim was to develop agriculture and protect the interests of the White farmers. Establishment of large farms Africans were encouraged to put up their own farms. This was to enable them grow cash crops and pay taxes to the colonial government. Improved machinery to carry out Agricultural activities were also introduced which eased the work in the long run.
Industrial development is the building and growing of industries within an economy. These industries include mass production, technological developments, and other services. When an area or economy is industrialized, it experiences an increased standard of living, job growth, and more production as it sustains growth. Prior to the coming of the colonialists in East Africa, the production of goods was mostly done in people’s homes, agriculture products were only for home consumption since there were no technological developments to process them. However, with the coming of the colonial economy, colonialists introduced industries to help them process the raw materials they had discovered in East Africa. They built cotton Ginneries, Mills, factories and refineries that helped East Africans to expand their businesses. Industrial development in East Africa was necessary for modernization of agriculture. Productivity was low because East Africans lacked adequate industries. The colonial economy however introduced tractors, threshers, and harvesters to modernize agriculture and increase productivity, Economic Growth Industrial development in East Africa also brought with it Economic growth. The East African Economy started thriving slowly with more job opportunities being created for the locals. The standard of living also improved leading growth and transformation of East
African towns... East Africa saw improvement in many ways, more manufactured goods, and advancement in transportation, communication, and living standards for some. Industrialization generates employment opportunities, provides educational opportunities, encourages advancement and innovation, and better utilizes resources. All of these benefits and more make industrial development extremely valuable to a population and the local economy. Europeans and Asians enhanced and controlled Industries in East Africa. Mining was also established after the discovery of minerals gold at kakamega in Kenya