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Few of my friends believe me when I tell them that I grew up picking coffee, sorting cotton, and cutting sisal. Fewer still have any idea when I talk about harvesting castor — from which we get castor oil. And yet, these were the cash crops prevalent in my part of the country as I grew up. And by cash crop, I do not mean merely by designation.
These crops were as good as ready cash at harvest time. It was not unusual, when hard-pressed for a little cash, to pick a kilo or two of cotton, take to the local collection centre and get cash on the spot. The same was true of coffee, sisal, and castor. Thus, whether it was a large scale farmer — and there were several — or a small-scale holder — and there were many — one was assured of ready cash in return for their crop.
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