Entry: Bill Guyton
This week, The Payson Center at Tulane University issued a report on child labor conditions in the cocoa growing sector of West Africa. The report is part of an ongoing, growing effort to bring research and greater understanding to the complex web of labor issues affecting cocoa farms.
The Tulane report highlights, among several findings, issues associated with children participating in unsafe farming tasks. In particular, application of pesticide is mentioned. This is a priority area for the World Cocoa Foundation, and has been for some time.
In West Africa, WCF and its partners support the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP)which uses particpatory training on cocoa farms to help improve the incomes and farming practices of family farmers. Part of the "farmer field schools" include modules on how to identify and address hazardous tasks for both adults and children. These programs are showing positive results, as explained by graduates of the farmer field schools. Over the next few years, this program will reach over 150,000 farmers and their families. We are still learning from the programs and interactions with farmers to identify and promote the best farm safety practices.
In addition to STCP, World Cocoa Foundation and partners are also supporting a youth livelihoods program in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire called "ECHOES". This program is providing formal and non formal educational opportunities to thousands of young people in the cocoa growing regions. As with farm safety, access to education is a critical component to improving the lives of children and adults in the cocoa sector.
The Tulane report also mentions that anti-trafficking measures need to be a priority in the overall effort. This is definately important and host governments, several non-government organizations (including the International Cocoa Initiative) and others are taking actions on this important topic.
World Cooca Foundation, our member companies and partners realize that in order to successfully improve the cocoa sector, active participation of multiple partners: governments, the chocolate and cocoa industry, non-government organizations --- and most importantly -- cocoa growing communities is required.