The research activities of the Institute are coordinated through seven Research Programmes. These are:
- Land and Water Resources Management Programme
- Kenaf and Jute Fibre Programme
- South West Farming Systems Research and Extension Programme
- Maize Improvement Programme for Southern Ecologies
- Grain Legumes Improvement Programme
- Livestock Improvement Programme
- Agricultural Value Addition Programme
The activities of the Research Programmes are complemented by the following Research Units/Centres:
- Crop and Seed Production Unit
- Publications Unit
- Library and Documentation Unit
- Information Technology Unit
- Biosciences Centre
- Soil Science Centre
- Life Science Centre
- Research Advisory Office
- Networking and External Funding Partnership Office
Finally, the following Service Units are in place to provide administrative support to research activities in the Institute:
- The Registry
- The Bursary
- Internal Audit Unit
- Physical Plants and Services Unit
- Maintenance/Transport Unit
- Public Relations Unit
- Health Centre