Burkina Faso compact signing

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 22 July 2010 -The African Union Commission (AUC), the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Development Partners and the Private Sector have signed a Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Program (CAADP) country compact agreement with the Government of Burkina Faso, today, 22 July 2010, in Ouagadougou.
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Organized by the AUC and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) jointly with the Government of Burkina Faso, The signing ceremony was preceded by a day-long round table discussion on how to take the CAADP Principles forward. The government of Burkina Faso is expected to meet these principles which reflect the commitment of the AU heads of State and Government and the Maputo Declaration calling for allocation of at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture for accelerating growth to a minimum of 6% per year, which is sufficient for effective poverty alleviation.

According to the statement of Mrs. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, AUC Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture; “The African Union Commission attaches a special significance to agriculture because it is the strategic sector in Africa’s economy and the livelihood processes of its people. Agriculture has great prospect for job creation and expansion, and enhanced opportunity to increased productivity, value addition, and poverty reduction.”

“Signing the compact is now the real beginning. Our target, though, is the end which is concrete results in terms of government practical investment, agricultural growth, development support and the impact that these bring to bear on the livelihoods of the people who are hungry, malnourished, poor and vulnerable. As a matter of fact, though CAADP predates the Millennium Development Goals, it contributes significantly to their pursuit and attainment”, said Mr. Martin Bwalya, Head of CAADP / NEPAD.

Mr. Salifou Ousseini, Commissioner for Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources of ECOWAS, said that the point of departure for a better governance of the agriculture sector is a common reference framework for the next years which will provide the necessary basis for an effective coordination, a better planning and an appropriate evaluation of the CAADP implementation proces. According to him, the successful implementation of agriculture policies will benefit 400 million citizens of the ECOWAS countries during the next fifteen (15) years.

Burkina Faso compact signing

In his statement, Mr. Laurent Sedego, Minister of Agriculture, Water Affairs and Fisheries of Burkina Faso, emphasized that, since 2007, Burkina Faso has enjoyed the expertise of national and international experts for their National Agricultural Investment Programmes. At the same time, the country has modified its project-based approach into a programme-based approach and launched the Sector Development Programme for Agricultural Production.

“Together with its national and international partners, the government now needs to mobilise the necessary public engagement and offer a conducive environment for investment by putting emphasis on the needs of the poorest”, said Mr. Noil Marie Lucien Bebemba, Minister of Trade and Finance, for Burkina Faso. The government of Burkina Faso has proved to be committed to the 10% resource allocation target for agriculture; in fact, Burkina Faso has made available 14% of its national budget for the agricultural sector, he added.

Burkina Faso is now the 20th country that has signed its CAADP Compact agreement.