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	Togo sees significant return on investment in agriculture by Food & Agricultural Organization   The European Unions (EU) investment in agricultural rehabilitation in Togo has led to benefits that are almost double their cost, according to FAO.   The Organization used EU funding to help Togolese farmers cope with high food prices and climatic adversities.   Togo"s rural population suffered the most from floods and sharp increases in food prices that hit the country in 2007 and 2008.   These shocks exacerbated malnutrition in rural areas, where it was already high due to demographic pressure and the collapse of cotton cultivation, a major cash crop. In 2006, almost 50 percent of the population was underfed, according to figures from the UN World Food Programme.   In 2009, the European Union (EU) channelled Euro 2.5 million through FAO to help over 20,000 of the most-affected Togolese farmers restart their production via the EU Food Facility, the Union"s worldwide response to the food price crisis of 2007-2008.   Two years on, there is a sea change, says Evariste Douti, Director for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries in Togo"s northern Savannah region, which had been particularly affected. "The people have produced enough for themselves," he says.   Some 15,000 farmers have received seeds and fertiliser to grow staple crops such as maize, rice and sorghum, while 5,500 more got inputs for market gardening.   FAO estimates that the total value of what they have produced — 9,634 tonnes of maize, 675 tonnes of rice, 85 tonnes of sorghum, 3,522 tonnes of tomatoes, 350 tonnes of onions and 85 tonnes of green chillis — is €4.7 million, nearly double the amount invested by the EU.   "Our prime objective, to improve the level of nutrition and to increase the income of vulnerable farmers, has been accomplished," concludes Alfred Andriantianasolo, FAO"s emergency coordinator in Togo.   In addition, the EU-funded FAO efforts also delivered structural support to Togo"s agriculture, in particular to its seed sector and the market information system.   Togo"s primary seed farm, which has the potential to produce quality seed for the whole country, was rehabilitated and provided with equipment. Its staff, as well nearly 300 seed producers, received training in the production and certification of quality seeds.   Furthermore, an information system covering each of Tog"s five provinces as well as the capital was put in place, allowing buyers and sellers to better monitor the prices of agricultural products.   "We have provided some oxygen to farmers," says Marc Casterán, in charge of rural development at the EU Delegation in Togo. He perceives the EU Food Facility as a booster in helping Togo move towards long-term food security. Structural support is crucial, he adds. "It will help to sustain the work done."   * See also OECD: http://www.oecd.org/dac/povertyreduction/ http://www.oecd.org/dac/povertyreduction/storiesofempowerment.htm Visit the related web page
	World Day Against Child Labour by International Labour Organization   June 2010   Hundreds of millions of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged in work that deprives them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, violating their rights. Of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.   The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the first World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 as a way to highlight the plight of these children. The day, which is observed on June 12th, is intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour, reflected in the huge number of ratifications of ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour and ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for employment.   The World Day Against Child Labour provides and opportunity to gain further support of individual governments and that of the ILO social partners, civil society and others, including schools, youth and women"s groups as well as the media, in the campaign against child labour.   On this World Day we call for: Renewed urgency to tackle the worst forms of child labour. Scaling up global, national and local level efforts by making action against all forms of child labour an integral part of poverty reduction, social protection and education planning strategies.   Building political and popular commitment to tackling child labour, with social partners and civil society playing a leading role in advocacy and awareness raising efforts.   Tackling the Worst Forms of Child Labour   It is now ten years since the coming into force of the International Labour Organisation’s Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour. The Convention has so far been ratified by over 90 percent of the International Labour Organization"s 182 member States.   Millions of child labourers have benefited from the Convention’s drive against practices such as the use of children in slavery, forced labour, trafficking, debt bondage, serfdom, prostitution, pornography, forced or compulsory recruitment for armed conflict and all forms of work that are likely to harm the safety, health or morals of children.   However, despite the progress much remains to be done. Too many children remain trapped in such totally unacceptable forms of labour. The ILO’s member States have set a target of eliminating the worst forms of child labour by 2016. To achieve this goal requires a major scaling up of effort and commitment.   Scaling up efforts through poverty reduction, social protection and education   In a statement on the occasion of the 2009 World Day against Child Labour, President Barack Obama stated that “Global child labor perpetuates a cycle of poverty that prevents families and nations from reaching their full potential.”   Our challenge is to break this cycle. Poor families may rely on the contribution that a child’s earnings make to the family budget, or because of inadequate family income may be unable to afford direct or indirect costs associated with education. Tackling such family poverty is a central part of the strategy to tackle child labour.   Ensuring adults have employment and decent work is vital. Governments can also implement social protection strategies which assist poor families. Cash transfer programmes and school feeding programmes have been found to have a strong positive impact in promoting access to education and reducing child labour.   Tackling child labour is closely related with progress on basic education. According to the most recent estimates, 72 million primary aged children of whom more than half are girls, and 71 million children of junior secondary school age, are not enrolled in school. In addition, many children who are enrolled are not attending on a regular basis. There must be a strengthened global, national and local level commitment to ensuring education for all children to the minimum age of employment, and opportunities for those youth who have missed out on the chance of formal education.   If we are to raise the level of national concern with child labour, employers and workers organisations must be centrally involved. Apart from governments themselves, the social partners will often be the best organised and most effective advocates for action.   Local civil society organisations can also play an important role in many communities in which child labour is a problem, by promoting awareness and attitudinal change against child labour and in favour of education and skills.   * Visit the link below to access campaign and advocacy resources. Visit the related web page
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