Topic 5 Evolution of agricultural production during the 20th century

  • Thanks in particular to Aimé CESAIRE, Martinique left its status as a colony to become a French department in 1946. The colonial economy known as “plantation” allowed to supply the Metropolis with agricultural products such as sugar, pineapple and cocoa. Following various events (embargo, cyclone, development of sugar from beet…) Martinique turned to the large-scale production of rum and bananas. An important rural exodus followed. The number of small farms and creole gardens dropped. The Martiniquais turned more to the secondary sector (industries) or tertiary sector (services).
  • However, many Creole gardens can still be found near individual houses, especially in rural areas.