When Children Are at School, They Are Not on the Cocoa Farm

World Day Against Child Labor and Cocoa Farming

Child labor in cocoa farming remains a significant global challenge, impacting vulnerable communities. Indonesia, the third-largest cocoa producer after Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, is an essential sourcing region for Mondelēz International. Embode recently completed its third assessment on child labor in cocoa farming for Mondelēz in Indonesia, offering insights into regional differences and how to address labor concerns effectively.

Understanding the Scope of Child Labor in Cocoa Farming

The prevalence of child labor in cocoa farming varies depending on socioeconomic and cultural factors. Just as cocoa beans differ based on soil quality, farming communities face unique challenges based on local conditions. Cocoa is grown worldwide in diverse political and economic environments.

Embode’s team conducted fieldwork across Indonesian cocoa-growing communities to understand the reality on the ground. Surprisingly, the study found that child labor in cocoa farming was not as severe as in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. However, this does not mean Indonesia is free from child labor issues. The country has significantly reduced poverty since 1999, yet many families remain socioeconomically vulnerable. While industries such as rubber, tobacco, and palm oil have documented child labor cases, cocoa-growing communities in Indonesia fare comparatively better.

The Role of Education in Preventing Child Labor

Access to education plays a critical role in reducing child labor in cocoa farming. Over the last decade, Indonesia has achieved near-universal education. Schools are accessible, well-structured, and adequately staffed, providing children with opportunities beyond agricultural labor. Families in cocoa-growing communities prioritize education, recognizing the long-term benefits of keeping children in school rather than relying on their labor.

When children attend school, they are not working in hazardous environments. Education fosters development, enhances career opportunities, and protects children from exploitation. Moreover, schools act as early intervention points. If a child frequently misses classes or drops out, school officials can engage with families to prevent them from resorting to child labor.

Tackling Structural Poverty in Cocoa-Growing Communities

For education to be an effective solution, broader economic conditions must improve. Embode’s assessment found that Indonesian cocoa-growing communities had relatively better access to essential services such as clean water, electricity, healthcare, and transportation than their counterparts in West Africa. Farmers also diversified their income by cultivating various crops, reducing reliance on cocoa.

Indonesia’s government has implemented poverty reduction programs offering financial and in-kind support to vulnerable families. These social programs prevent economic desperation, reducing the need for children to work. By addressing poverty at its root, Indonesia ensures families do not depend on child labor in cocoa farming for survival.

A Holistic Approach to Ending Child Labor

Child labor does not exist in isolation; it results from multiple interlinked factors, including poverty, lack of education, and limited social services. When families lack basic necessities like clean water, electricity, or healthcare, children are forced to work to support household income.

A long-term, sustainable solution requires holistic community development. Governments, corporations, and civil society must collaborate to ensure education, economic stability, and social support systems are in place. By keeping children in school and prioritizing community well-being, the global cocoa industry can move toward eliminating child labor in cocoa farming entirely.

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Author Credit

This article was originally published by Embode

References

• [1] Embode’s assessment built on existing research, mainly through consultations with a broad range of stakeholders, including cocoa-growing communities. The research team visited a number of cocoa communities – some of which were part of the Cocoa Life program – and did not directly witness any incidences of child labour in those communities. For more details on Embode’s methodology, see section 1.3 of the report.
• [2] The World Bank 2017, [http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/indonesia/overview]