S16 - Session P3 - Comparison of socio-economic conditions of plantation workers of two cocoa plantations in Colombia

Authors: Daniel Kalnin *

The objective of this study is to carry out a diagnosis of the living and working conditions of the employees on two cocoa plantations of one company in order to improve plant and hence plantation management. The aim here is to identify different factors that are inducing the exodus of employees and hence depletion of trained workforce from the cocoa production areas by understanding the underlying social mechanisms present at the two locations studied: Necocli and Casanare. The study was conducted in order to secure the presence of well-trained employees and hence allow for the production of high-quality fine cocoa. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. All data were collected during 3 weeks of fieldwork by 10 interviewers. Data were processed using a quantitative approach in order to be able to interpret the results regarding different themes ranging from the study of work contexts, new mechanisms; understand and document the mechanisms in the two sites; explanation of the parameters that make up these mechanisms; proposing and exploring the links between the different results obtained during interviews. This work leads to the understanding of the basic mechanisms, the factors that induce the exodus of young people from the fields. One of the key outcomes of the study is that it can be seen that creation of a climate of trust by taking an interest in the life of the employees outside of work and participating in their home farming greatly improves the perception of working conditions. An important recommendation supported by this study is to promote a communication and awareness campaign about the profession of cocoa plantations workers and cocoa-growing and chocolate-making business, especially amongst young people in order to keep a well-trained workforce.