Process

//  A framework rather than a programme

Although CAADP is continental in scope, it is realised through regional and national efforts to promote growth in the agriculture sector. As such, CAADP is not a set of supranational programmes but a policy framework embodying a set of key principles and targets.

No single road map fits all countries. Each country implements the CAADP agenda in its own way - although each will use a common set of tools, such as the respective pillar framework and the country CAADP implementation process - previously known as the roundtable process.

The country implementation process is the backbone of CAADP, comprising analysis, design, implementation and evaluation of agricultural investment programmes on a national level.

Components

//  Interlinked principal components tailored to local needs

• Component 1: Engagement with stakeholders and the public – Common understanding of opportunities for agricultural growth
• Component 2: Evidence-based analysis – Deepening understanding around common priorities
• Component 3: Development of investment programmes, partnerships and alliances
• Component 4: Assessment and learning from process and practice – And adapting and re-planning

The process does not have to unfold in a linear sequence. The various elements are to interact within and across the components in an iterative way.

As part of component 3, national governments, their respective Regional Economic Community, the private sector, civil society and development partners sign CAADP Compacts. The Compacts are meant to lead to better policies, capacities and improved agricultural sector investment programmes.

Compacts

//  What is a Compact?

• A strategic agreement on joint and collaborative action on agriculture
• Political and technical document that specifies key areas for investment
• Secures commitment from national governments and partners
• Defines roles and responsibilities of stakeholders

//  Country status updates

To review individual CAADP Compacts, investment plans, technical review reports and stocktaking documents visit country status updates at the library of the CAADP website

post-Compact

//  What happens after signing a Compact?

The next step is to formulate a National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP) moving rapidly towards the implementation of quality agriculture programmes.

After an independent technical review and subsequent approval of a NAIP, funding commitments are to be declared and an agreement reached on the modalities and timelines to meet the funding needs of the NAIP.

In accordance with the Paris Declaration and Accra Action Agenda commitments, all parties would pledge to not fund programmes or projects outside the investment plan, neither “off plan” nor “off‐budget”.

A donor-supported multilateral funding mechanism to address potential underfunding of NAIPs is the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP).

The post-compact phase is not a single‐dimensional linear process, but highly iterative, multi‐institutional and cutting across several disciplines and sectors. Ideally, the respective Ministry of Finance should lead or co‐lead the CAADP post‐compact undertakings, supported by NEPAD and the respective REC.

Developments

//  What has happened recently?

• Eight countries in the COMESA region have completed the round table process and signed CAADP Compacts - a country-by-country assessment of progress is available at Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS).
• The COMESA region has developed a Regional Compact initially intended to cover this geographical area, but that is now to be endorsed within a tripartite arrangement including COMESA, EAC and SADC being explored by the three regional bodies.
• Analyses and planning documents underpinning the ECOWAS Regional Partnership Compact were the basis for identifying and implementing priority areas of investment with cross-boundary significance and regional/sub-regional integration.
• ECOWAS, the most advanced region in CAADP implementation process is the only one in Africa that has managed to get all its members to have national Compacts signed - with Guinea Bissau being the only country whose national CAADP process is yet to reach this crucial stage. It is particularly noticeable that 67% of the national compacts signed in the region took place between July and December 2009.

Milestones

//  What has been reached sofar?

• Eight countries have reached the target of 10 percent of national budget allocations to agriculture, Nine of the reporting countries reached expenditure shares of 5 to 10 percent.
• 'Donor Guidelines' endorsed - CAADP Donor and Partners Meeting acknowledges CAADP as a continually improving African framework for agriculture and endorses the Guidelines for donor support to CAADP process at a country-level, September 2009.
• CAADP commitment consolidated - AU summit focuses on Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security, and underscores CAADP as a critical delivery mechanism for agricultural transformation in Africa, July 2009.
• Awareness threshold boosted - CAADP Day convenes ministers of agriculture, development partners and representatives of civil society, farmers’ organisations, women’s groups and the private sector, and heightens participants' awareness about the need to improve political space and investment climates for agriculture, June 2009.
• Donor support solicited - AUC Statement, Partnership for Advancing African Agriculture, recognises countries’ progress in implementing CAADP and calls on the development community to increase their engagement and support to CAADP, October 2008.
• Resources, leadership committed - African Heads of State commit the resources and leadership of their governments to support CAADP implementation at a continent-wide summit in Accra, Ghana, May 2005.
• CAADP roadmap approved - African Partnership Forum in Washington DC endorses the CAADP roadmap, October 2004.
• AU determination reiterated – AU Extraordinary Summit on Agriculture and Water reiterates commitment to the sector, February 2004.
• Maputo Declaration adopted – AU Summit endorses CAADP and adopts the Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security, July 2003.
• First action plan reviewed – Heads of African regional economic organisations review first CAADP Action Plan, December 2002.
• Ministers' backing established – African ministers of agriculture endorse CAADP in Rome, June 2002.
• CAADP concept launched – CAADP conceptualisation commences, May 2002.