Perception of Arable Crop Farmers on Child Labour in Sagamu Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria

The study focused on perception of child labour among arable crop farmers in Sagamu Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria. Questionnaire was used to collect data from 132 arable crop farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, reasons for engaging children in arable crop farming, consequences and perception. Data was analysed using descriptive statistical tools and inferential tools such as Chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation at p?0.05 level of significance. Results indicate that arable crop farmers were within age category of 38-47 years, married (88.6%), educated (94.7%) and were traders (72.0%) primarily. Very few (39.4%) had access to credit facilities but operated on an average land-space of 5 acres, majority (99.2%) earned ??200,000 annually. There was unfavourable perception of child labour among majority (65.2%) of arable crop farmers. First among consequences of child labour was general child injuries (2.18). Significant relationship existed between perception of child labour and secondary occupation (9.716), labour used (9.997), contact with extension workers (11.448), transmission of farming skills and knowledge (-0.250), training children among others. In conclusion, arable crop farmers had unfavourable perception of child labour. The study therefore recommends more awareness, seminars, training and financial assistance to child guardians and parents to ameliorate severity of child labour consequences.