Domesticating the SDGs in Africa for Rural and Agricultural Development: The Case of Devolved Governance

Abstract

The development of the agricultural sector in Africa means an addition to the promotion of food security, expansion of the capacity to absorb labor, and consequent rural development. In the examination of how to domesticate the agenda on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create a harmonized synergy is the analysis of the effect of devolved governance on rural development. As some scholars see prospects, some prove positive impacts while others remain skeptical about the impact of devolution on agriculture and local labor development. This chapter does not intend to duplicate any of the three perspectives but rather to shift the debate from “whether devolution has the potential to enhance agriculture development or not,” to, “which is the appropriate policy toolbox within devolution that we require” in order to: (1) effectively domesticate and operationalize the SDGs and (2) aggregate the domesticated planning to measure the achievement of the SDGs. The study uses the devolved governance in Kenya in the context of rural and agricultural development sector to examine the SDGs domestication process. In this chapter, we find that, without the reference to specific SDGs and their targets, it is not clear whether development agencies are doing development work as usual or are guided by SDGs framework. In addition, devolution does not necessarily translate to SDGs domestication.