Authors : O.O. Ukoha , J.C. Nwaru and M. Emea
Abstract: The driving force of agricultural activities is the input of labour, apart from that of land. Rural households rely heavily on their members as primary sources of labour for agricultural activities. Where they cannot afford to hire additional labour and since the labour from their adult members is grossly inadequate almost in all cases, these households always resort to the use of child labour. It is in this context that child labour has become a growing phenomenon in developing countries, including Nigeria. This study examined the determinants of child labour in Nigeria using cross sectional data derived from a random sample of 60 rural children from farm households. Means and probit regression model were used in data analysis. Results indicate that educational level of the child, household size and income and educational level of child�s household head were statistically significant determinants of child labour use in agricultural activities. It was concluded that if the economic conditions of the households were not improved significantly to the extent of lifting them out of the grips of poverty, child labour use in agricultural activities would continue to persist irrespective of international and national resolutions, regulations and legislations to curb the menace of child labour. Based on the findings of this research, it is recommended that household income enhancement policies should be formulated as components of strategies for effective child labour reduction efforts. Such economic policies should seek to enhance the opportunities for children to be well educated. In this vein the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme is appropriate and should be followed to its logical conclusion. In formulating child labour reduction policies and programmes in Nigeria, large household size and educational level of child�s household head should be considered as important variables.
O.O. Ukoha , J.C. Nwaru and M. Emea , 2007. Determinants of Child Labour in Crop Production in Nigeria:A Case Study of Abia State . Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 4: 380-384.