Wattle bark production and its diversification 1950-1975: The case study of Njombe District

The dissertation attempts to examine Njombe wattle growing in which metropolitan capital incorporated the peasantry into the production of the raw materials. Consequently, the peasants experienced hardships when their land was alienated to the company and those evicted ones, now on the outskirts of wattle estates, live on infertile land which worsens their standard of living. In this respect the dissertation investigates the objectives and role of the metropolitan colonial development corporation and its subsidiary, the Tanganyika Wattle Company in Njombe including relationship between this company and the Bena Wattle Scheme, Njombe District Council and the Co-operative Union. The purpose of this dissertation, therefore, has been to: (a)Assess the size of wattle land and wattle utilization, (b)Determine the impact of wattle growing on the Bena society, (c) Evaluate domestic and external demand of wattle products, and (d) Assess the validity of diversification. The whole paper comprises six chapters. The first chapter unfolds the aims of the Colonial Development Corporation in England and how it spread its tentacles into Njombe for exploitation of raw materials and cheap labour. Chapter two investigates the way the peasants were incorporated into wattle growing for the metropole. Chapter four traces stages of processing wattle bark into wattle mimosa extract at the factory and looks into its demand by the market. The fifth chapter discussed the future role of wattle in the economic and social development of Njombe. Chapter six assesses diversification as a solution to the shrinkage of external market for wattle extract. The conclusion summarizes the main themes discussed in the chapters and, where necessary, it provides recommendations in the interest of the peasantry.