The emerging impact of CAADP as a planning and partnership platform for growth and poverty reduction in Africa

"This paper reviews the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)  implementation progress and evaluates its emerging impact on future growth and poverty-reduction outcomes. Analysis of long term agricultural growth and poverty reduction options at the country level as part of the CAADP implementation agenda is supporting evidence and outcome based agricultural policy planning and execution. Results of analysis from 7 East and Southern Africa and 14 West Africa countries reveal that at current trends, achieving the CAADP 6 percent growth target and the first millennium development goal (MDG1) target of halving poverty by 2015 is out of reach for many countries. Meeting these targets will require countries to not only raise agricultural spending but also its efficiency. Nonetheless, emerging trends in agricultural growth and spending, development assistance, and improved  partnerships, review and dialogue, and mutual learning mechanisms bode well for CAADP and Africa’s success. The CAADP implementation process is taking place at time when the continent has been undergoing an agricultural growth recovery; with many countries showing improved agricultural growth rates in recent years. The number or countries that have raised their funding levels in pursuit of the CAADP 10 percent agricultural budget share has increased steadily while support from the international development community has been stepped  up as  evidenced by recent increases in overseas development assistance and various commitments  and initiatives in support of Africa’s agricultural and rural development."