DETERMINANTS OF STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING CHILD LABOUR IN COCOA FARM COMMUNITY IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study identified the strategies of reducing child labour in cocoa farming communities in Ondo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study ascertained socio-economic characteristics of cocoa farmers in the study areas; identified the respondents’ sources of information on child labour; examined the perception of cocoa farmers towards child labour; determined the level of awareness on child labour in cocoa farming; examined the knowledge and practice of cocoa farmers towards child labour with regards to cocoa farming communities; and determined strategies to mitigate child labour in cocoa farming communities in Ondo State. Interview schedule and Focus Group Discussion were used to collect data from respondents. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select two hundred and seventy (270) cocoa farmers. Data were analysed using frequency counts, percentage, mean statistics, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The study revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 52 years. About 65% were male, 58.1% were married, 67.8% were Christians, 34.8% completed secondary school, and The mean household size was 6 persons, the average farming experience was 21 years, The mean average income was N547,303.7, About 49% indicated hired labour as their source of labour during cocoa farming activities, The result shows that cocoa farmers have high level of awareness and high knowledge as regard child labour in cocoa farming. The cocoa farmers perceived child labour as unwanted as most of them do not agree to the practice due to the adverse effect of involving the children in hard labour. The respondents disagreed that child labour is part of socialization ( ), child labour practices make the child to be smart ( ). The study further revealed the strategies to mitigate child labour in cocoa farming communities includes: training of farmers on child protection, provide an environment where farmers could acquire the knowledge and skills to be able to mitigate child labour in their communities (98.9%). The correlation analysis revealed that there was no significant relationship between socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents age (r= 0.019), level of education (r = -0.007), household size (r= -0.038), plot of land use for cultivation of cocoa (r= -0.050) and years of experience in cocoa production (r= 0.087) and their knowledge towards hazardous child labour. The correlation result also showed that there is significant relationship (r =-0.147 p ˂0.05) between perception of cocoa farmers towards hazardous child labour and level of awareness on child labour in cocoa farming. The study recommend that more sensitization and trainings should be done by relevant bodies for cocoa farmers on how to be selfdependent and as well manage their farm without using children for farming activities.