1. The Politics of Reform Processes Gem Arwings-Kodhek, ACSU, Kenya Future Agricultures Consortium Workshop on Politics and Policy Processes for the 2008 World Development Report on Agriculture 22-23 January 2006 Institute of Development Studies, UK www.future-agricultures.org WDR meeting Jan 07

2. Future Agricultures Consortium The case of the Strategy for Revitalizing Agriculture (SRA): 2004-2014 A big technical effort in design… –Need - Competitive sector –Require - Best services –Focus - Government vs private sector roles –Involving - 1. Legal and Regulatory Reform 2. Reform of Parastatals and Govt Departments 3. Reform of Agricultural Research and Extension 4. Agricultural Inputs and Financial Services 5. Agribusiness, Market Access, Value Addition 6. Food and Nutrition Policy BUT…ALL POLITICAL! Not technical www.future-agricultures.org WDR meeting Jan 07

3. Future Agricultures Consortium A highly technical approach to reform Thematic working groups Private sector chair Directors are conveners ASCU provides secretariat and Advisor Relevant public and private sector members. Consultative forum – –30 experts to critique the output of the core TWG Stakeholders’ forum Consultants and donors www.future-agricultures.org WDR meeting Jan 07

4. Future Agricultures Consortium But… it’s mostly about politics… Politicians LOVE to show impact… but HATE to take risks. Change is tough.. Inter-ministerial consultation is SO difficult? Ministries of: Livestock and Fisheries Development; Agriculture; Cooperatives; Health; Local Government; Trade; Environment; Water, Lands; State Law Office Political WILL vs. Bureaucratic WILL NOT! www.future-agricultures.org WDR meeting Jan 07

5. Future Agricultures Consortium The Opposers – loud condemnation and a silent dagger in the back! “The bureaucratic elite” –Public employees –Directors of State Corporations –Contractors and other beneficiaries Their MPs, Ministers and PSs. Their donors, NGOs etc. Part of private sector benefiting from status quo www.future-agricultures.org WDR meeting Jan 07

6. Future Agricultures Consortium Allies – muted support “Reform’ centre in government Parliamentary Committee Some MPs Parliamentary Opposition Minister, Assistant Ministers Producers’ organizations Private sector (most) Development partners (most) www.future-agricultures.org WDR meeting Jan 07

7. Future Agricultures Consortium What should the technocrats do? New set of skills New channels of influence and access Engage the public directly Strengthen institutions (famers’ unions, civil society, media etc.) Let the policies be stakeholder driven. Use ‘drivers of change’ analyses Infuse politicians speeches Persist – patience Make leaders LEADERS - or become leaders ourselves!! POLITICAL, not technical www.future-agricultures.org WDR meeting Jan 07

8. Future Agricultures Consortium Agenda Next! Let’s talk more about politics of process Let’s engage new vocabulary - e.g. interest groups, political science, media strategy, high-level networking, leadership, parliament, private members motion, Hansard, etc. Let’s go beyond the technical “comfort zone” NB: uncomfortable for some donors. So, who will pay? Let’s get our perspectives into the international agenda, e.g. the World Development Report… www.future-agricultures.org WDR meeting Jan 07

9. Future Agricultures Consortium www.future-agricultures.org WDR meeting Jan 07 A final word from Gem -----Original Message----- From: Gem Argwings-Kodhek Sent: 17 January 2007 19:55 To: Oliver Burch Subject: Re: FW: Travel details for Mr G ARGWINGSKODHEK Ref: 1058777 Hi Oliver, For a combination of job related and home related reasons I just cannot come. I really wish I could…Am taking over as Coordinator of our Kenyan reform unit and my predecessor leaves end next week at the same time working on 3 year workplan..etc... Hope can get good report of discussions and that Derek will be convinced of the need for a strong political chapter. GemAK