Helping Kids, Helping Families:
Survey of Labor Practices
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) visited 3,000 cocoa farms to understand child labor problems - where
abusive labor practices are happening, why they happen, and how many children are involved. The survey helped the cocoa industry
understand the problem and come up with solutions.
What We Learned
The industry learned that hardly any farms use child or adult workers from outside the family. The survey did show the need to
improve the incomes of farm families. If farmers earn more money from their crops, they can take better care of their children and families.
The survey also discovered that on some farms, children were using
sharp tools, such as machetes, and working with pesticides and other
chemicals. These chores are fine for adults, but too dangerous for children.
The survey also showed the need to help farm children balance work,
school and play.
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