Agriculture in Martinique

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) which ranks it far below tourism
and other services, the island's primary source of revenue.

Agriculture in Martinique's History

Main article: History of Martinique

The original inhabitants of Martinique, the

cultivating on the island though substantial agricultural development did not occur until the French colonized the island in 1635. Following the French's settlement on the island, sugarcane became a widely harvested resource which made the island one of France's prime overseas territories.[1]

The island became even more lucrative after the introduction of

Vienna respectively.[2]

Most agricultural labor on the island was driven by slaves from Africa. Numerous slave uprisings occurred during the early 19th century and ultimately led to the abolition of the practice in 1848. Following this plantation owners imported workers from India and China to lower their labor costs.[2]

Martinique became economically depressed in the later 1950s. During this period bananas became a larger and more important agricultural product for the island. The 1979 and 1980 Atlantic hurricane seasons caused major agricultural and economic disruption to the island which continued the island's economic slump.[2]

Products

Tall grassy plants on the right side of the image and shorter leafy plants on the left.
Sugarcane (right) and Banana (left) plants on Martinique.

Martinique produces many agricultural products including but not limited too:

sweet potatoes and exotic flowers.[2]

exported is now used more commonly for the production of rum, which is also exported.[1] Approximately 3,140 ha of the arable land on Martinique is used to grow sugarcane. Between 1989 and 2000 harvests of sugarcane increased by 7%.[3]

Role in the Economy

Main article: Economy of Martinique

References

  1. ^ a b "Economic Roots". Interactive Internet Websites, Inc. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
  2. ^ a b c d "Martinique". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
  3. ^ "Export Market Opportunities Market Profile: Martinique A Rapid Reconnaissance Survey" (PDF). Ministry of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-25.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Agriculture_in_Martinique&oldid=1190335243"