Reacting to remarks made by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her recent visit to Kenya, Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), said, “Coming on the heels of the G8 Summit in L’Aquila, Secretary Clinton’s comments send a clear signal that the United States is committed to the effort to turn the pledges made by world leaders in Italy last month into action”. “Investing in agriculture -- and in particular smallholder agriculture -- is indeed the most cost-effective way of reducing poverty, saving and improving lives.” Nwanze thanked Secretary Clinton for keeping the global spotlight on agriculture and rural poverty.