Land Acquisition, Cocoa Farming and Internal Migration in Ondo Division, 1947 – 1972

Abstract

This paper attempts to answer some fundamental questions regarding the availability of land for cocoa farming in the growth of internal migration in Ondo Division of Western Nigeria between 1947 and 1972. Among these questions are: What factor (s)  facilitated the influx of migrants into Ondo Division between 1947 and 1972? What role did land play in the development of cocoa farming in Ondo Division between 1947 and 1972? Was there any relationship between cocoa farming and internal migration in Ondo Division between 1947 and 1972? The paper, however, argues that the  availability of suitable and fertile land coupled with its easy accessibility constituted major pull and push factors that facilitated the influx of cocoa migrant farmers (mainly from the old Oyo Province with a few from Abeokuta and Ilorin Provinces , among  others) to Ondo Division during this period. It concludes that the presence of large  number of migrants has helped to shape the structure of the economy of the area and as well build decisive socio-political and economic relations between them and the host communities.