Agricultural Policy-Making in Sub Saharan Africa: CAADP Progress in Kenya

Abstract

Introduction In the past few years, agriculture has regained prominence on the African policy agenda. A novel aspect in this respect is the increased importance attached to regional and continental levels to foster agricultural development. At the core of this initiative is the New Economic Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), which is an integrated socio-economic development framework for Africa. NEPAD is designed to add ress the current challenges facing the African continent such as the escalating poverty levels, underdevelopment and the continued marginalisation of Africa. It is a new vision pursuing Africa’s renewal which is spearheaded by African leaders. The primary objectives of NEPAD are: to eradicate poverty; place African countries, both individually and collectively, on a path of sustainable growth and development; halt the marginalization of Africa in the globalization process and enhance its full and beneficial integration into the global economy; and accelerate the empowerment of women (NEPAD, 2003). The priority sectors for policy reforms and increased investments are: agriculture, human development, information and communications, infrastructure, energy, transport, water and sanitation, and the environment. Two initiatives of NEPAD, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), are the most important pan-African initiatives concerning agricultural policies and institutions in Sub-Sahara Africa, with CAADP for the agricultural sector policies.