IMPERIAL AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA: STRATEGIES AND IMPACTS

Abstract:
    This paper examines the issue of Imperial Agriculture in Africa as a colonial tool that firmly controlled the continent’s agricultural resources. This control led to fundamental changes in production and consumption patterns, deeply influenced various aspects of life, and contributed to Africa’s continued dependency on colonial hegemony. Adopting a Historical and Descriptive-Analytical approach, the paper traces the evolution of Imperial Agriculture in Africa, identifies its key strategies for achieving its objectives, and explores its negative consequences. The study concludes that Imperial Agriculture is directly responsible for Africa’s deteriorating economic conditions, food insecurity, and numerous environmental issues due to policies that undermined agricultural development. These policies include, among others: land appropriation, monoculture farming, reliance on cash crops such as coffee, cocoa, and sugar, and monopolization of agricultural technology and seeds. Today, multinational corporations perpetuate these colonial policies through exploitative land sales and lease agreements, posing serious threats to Africa’s food security and agricultural sovereignty.