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