LEGAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF CHILD LABOUR AMONG ROOTS AND GRAIN CROPS FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN THE FOREST SAVANAH TRANSITION ZONE, ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Despite policies and laws against child labour in Nigeria, enforcement mostly focuses on large manufacturing companies and government agencies. The peasant agricultural sector is often overlooked because farms are fragmented and located in inaccessible rural locations or erroneously considered insignificant. This study investigated the prevalence and determinants of child labour among roots and grain crop farming households in Enugu State. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey research design. 395 grains and roots crop peasant farmers were randomly selected from rural locations across Enugu State for the study. Data were analysed using tables, frequency counts, and percentages. Findings showed that children account for 60.62% of the workforce used in the root and grain crop farming activities of rural households. The practice was socially acceptable in the rural areas, and families see nothing wrong with the practice. 50.64% of the children combined schooling and farm work, with 51.91% performing all crop farming activities. Child labour was highest among females (52.69%) than male children (47.31%). It was found that shortage of adult labourers was a major factor propelling families to rely on children for farm work. This was because these families could not afford the high labour charges demanded by adults. Aside from the economic dimension, most families were ignorant of existing laws and policies against child labour. Based on these, it was concluded that legislation alone cannot stop child labour. This is because most parents see child labour as the only option left for them to earn a living or supplement family income. It is therefore recommended that a holistic redress of the development imbalance between the rural and urban areas in Nigeria, so as to keep the able-bodied men away from out migration. This pragmatic solution if implemented would limit child labour and advance human capital as well as reduce inter-generational poverty.