FOODCoST Brings Critical Insights on Child Labour in Coffee Production to UN Food Systems Summit+4

The FOODCoST project took centre stage at the UN Food Systems Summit+4, in Addis Ababa, where opportunities within coffee production systems were a key topic on the agenda. To these considerations, FOODCoST added crucial findings on child labour in the coffee sector. Professor Joachim von Braun introduced a new policy brief developed by the FOODCoST team in collaboration with ZEF/University of Bonn and Makerere University. The research highlights the prevalence, underlying drivers, and policy implications of child labour among coffee-farming households in Uganda.

Key findings reveal that even small children under 11 years spend significant time in coffee production and nearly a quarter of children involved in coffee production are exposed to hazardous work conditions. The study shows that higher household education and income levels correlate with lower child labour prevalence. The policy brief points at solutions, calling for financial support for schooling to draw children from work, stronger regulatory enforcement, the promotion of child-labour-free certifications, and community awareness programmes.

🔗Download the Policy Brief: Prevalence and Drivers of Child Labour among Coffee Farmers in Uganda and Policy Implications (PDF)

This contribution underscores FOODCoST’s commitment to identifying and addressing inequalities across food systems. By bringing evidence-based recommendations to global policy discussions, the project continues to support more just and sustainable agricultural value chains.