Study on the Role of Children in Family Farming
Considering the socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of Turkey, it is seen that agriculture is done with all family members. A similar situation is experienced in tobacco farming. In order to identify and prevent risks/hazards of children in agricultural family-based work, adults’ attitudes and behaviors should be analyzed and recommendations for the welfare of children should be developed accordingly.
The Aegean Exporters’ Association works to “ensure the well-being of children in agricultural society”. In this context, it supports a research project carried out between March 2024-March 2025.
Purpose of the Research:
To determine the risks of children helping their families in tobacco farming, the social and psychological reasons for helping their families; to prepare social-based action plans (such as determining light work that can be done) to ensure the well-being of children and to carry out raising awareness activities.
Outputs
Work list
• List of light and hazardous jobs in tobacco farming
• List of things that children can do according to their age
Impact reports
• Reasons why children work/participate in tobacco farming with their families and risk prevention roadmap
• Regional impact report on children (health, social, psychological)
Rising awareness
• 4 different training packages to prevent children from being negatively affected – considering regional differences (for children, families, community leaders and public personnel)
• Report that can be offered for international use
Research method
Qualitative (observation, OGT, in-depth interview, risk analysis, root cause analysis) and quantitative (survey, scale) methods were used together in the research. In order to look at farmers, women and children holistically and approach them correctly, the research team includes a sociologist, psychologist, occupational physician, occupational safety expert, agricultural engineer, public health expert and legal advisor.
Research provinces
Samsun, Batman, Adıyaman, Manisa, Denizli, Aydın, Uşak
In the first six months of the research, data collection studies were completed in all stages of leaf tobacco production:
Survey/scale with 398 producers in 7 provinces,
19 Focus Group Discussions
120 in-depth interviews
50 risk analysis of agricultural practices
Health survey with 120 producers
Survey with 75 children
24-hour observations were conducted on 20 families.
In the second six months, studies will be conducted to analyze the data and determine preventive/protective measures.
We are approaching the conclusion of the research on the role of children in family farming…
After completing the field research and evaluating the results, a workshop was held with the Child Labor Prevention Group to discuss the action plans, strategies, and pathways to be followed for 2025 based on the findings.
During the workshop, regional differences between provinces were discussed, along with ways to influence these differences.
Four different training packages, developed by the research team based on the findings, were tested within the working group before the pilot implementation, and feedback was collected.
The following topics were addressed individually, and demo applications were conducted:
- A training program filled with games for children aged 14-18,
- An interactive workshop for adult farmers,
- Recommendations for the involvement of community leaders in the process,
- The role of local governments in supporting and promoting appropriate agricultural practices.
The workshop generated numerous ideas, leading to the development of proposals and documentation on behalf of the 2025 Child Labor Prevention Working Group. These ideas will be further refined by the end of January, and action plans for 2025 will be developed accordingly.
The pilot workshop for the module “Messages Through Community Leaders”, developed based on the findings of the research project “The Role of Children in Family-Based Agriculture”, was conducted at the Aegean Exporters’ Association with the participation of the Aegean Tobacco Exporters’ Association (ETİB) Sustainability Working Group members and tobacco experts. This research project was carried out in collaboration with ETİB and EYKA.
During the event, which brought together 13 tobacco experts, participants exchanged ideas on how to play a more active role in ensuring children’s education and safety in family farming.
In the activity, participants were divided into three groups to develop key messages and content for farmers and children in rural areas. They also discussed the most effective channels for delivering these messages to farmers and children.
