Kenya became the 7th country in the COMESA region to sign the African Union and NEPAD - Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Compact in Nairobi on 24 July 2010. At the same occasion, Kenya launched the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy 2010 - 2010, the new blueprint for Kenya's agricultural sector. More than 400 participants attended the ceremony.

In his address, the President of Kenya HE Mwai Kibaki noted that more than 80 per cent of the total population in Africa lives in the rural areas and is mainly dependent on agriculture for its livelihood. Agriculture remains the mainstay of most Africa economies contributing about 30 per cent to the GDP and providing 60 per cent of all employment. 'In spite of its importance, the agricultural sector remains largely underdeveloped in Africa' he added. 'Out of the 874 million hectares of arable land in Africa, for example, only 27 per cent is optimally utilized'.

He deplored the low use of farm inputs such as fertilizer, improved seed and mechanization, and poor use of irrigation resulting in the continent being a net importer of food and agricultural products. He outlined measures that African countries could take to revitalize agriculture in Africa.

'I am encouraged to note that the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme that we shall be signing today is a step in this direction and aims at the implementation of these measures,' President Kibaki said. 'The objective of this African programme is to support country-driven agricultural development strategies and programmes by establishing clear commitments to deliver on specific targets'.

The Agricultural Sector Development Strategy
On the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy, President Kibaki said, 'I am glad to note that the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy has mainstreamed all the principles of the CAADP. The strategy's development process fulfils the specific steps for developing the agreement document, which is our final endorsement of the African programme. Through this endorsement, we are declaring the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme is now fully domesticated in Kenya, and the strategy is effectively the toll for implementing the continental framework.'

Also attending the singing of the CAADP Compact was Mr Sindiso Ngwenya, Secretary General of COMESA, and the Head of NEPAD Agriculture, Mr Sam Kanyarukiga. Participants included senior Government officials, representatives of sector ministries, agricultural experts, policymakers, representatives from farmer organizations, the private sector, development partners, non-governmental organizations, representatives of the African Union (AU) / New Partnership for Africa's Development, the East African Community (EAC), and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).