History of rice in Kenya: When was rice first introduced in Kenya?

Apollo Uma
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Apollo Uma: Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Egerton University, P.o Box 13357 – 20100, Nakuru-Kenya

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2022, vol. 6, issue 3, 23-27

Abstract: Rice is the third most important cereal crop in Kenya after maize and wheat. In regards to its introduction in Kenya, the year 1907 is quoted by the majority of contemporary authors and documents. This is so unlikely because the same Asians and Arab traders who introduced the crop in Kenya had already introduced the crop in Uganda by the 1870s. Remember, the Asian and Arab traders had their headquarters in Kenya (Mombasa), and it is arguably true, that they spent most of their time in Kenya than in Uganda. Therefore, they must have cultivated or promoted the cultivation of rice in Kenya earlier than in Uganda. As rightly said by Maya Angelou in 1997, you can’t know where you are going unless you understand where you came from. This prompted the review of literature from various corners of the world about the history of colonial and pre-colonial Kenya. The review was aimed at finding out other dates and the exact period when rice was introduced in Kenya and why authors were citing 1907 as the introductory year of rice cultivation in Kenya. Delving deeper into the accounts of history reveals that one of the reasons for citing 1907 could be that it is the period that marked the end of the slave trade period. And also, it is the period beyond which the production of rice was being promoted by Kenyan communities such as the Luo. As to when rice was introduced to Kenya, one would find four possible dates in literature, i.e., 1900 to 1905, 1907, the early 1800s (1800 to 1850), and the latter half of the 1800s (1851 to 1899). Following through all the accounts that have been reviewed, quoting the 19th century (considering the period from 1800 to 1899) provides a much stronger and evidence-based meaning as far as the introduction of rice cultivation in Kenya is concerned.

Date: 2022
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