How it started

The Government of Kenya was a signatory to the Johannesburg Plan of Action and was present at the launch of SARD Initiative at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002), and now is an active partner in SARD Initiative. Working together with civil society partners and the FAO, the activities within the SARD Initiative are seen as synergistic to other relevant efforts including the Strategy for Revitalizing Agriculture and efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals.
During August 2005, Kenya brought the SARD Initiative to the national level at its initial meeting in Thika. This workshop resulted in the recognition of eight focal points for the major groups of civil society within the country - including women, youth, consumers, indigenous people, farmers, NGOs, business and industries, and science and technology. With facilitation from the SARD focal point for civil society, Kenya Freedom from Hunger Council (KFFHC), the major groups are currently focusing on identifying, capturing and sharing SARD good practices of different stakeholders and conducting exchange visits. This work is being done in consultation with the Government of Kenya, especially through the Agricultural Sector Coordinating Unit (ASCU) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The latter has the responsibility for reporting to the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).