Abstract:

The National Agricultural Research Organisation, through its statutory mandate, has to
undertake, promote and co-ordinate research in all aspects of crops, fisheries, forestry and
livestock. It therefore has a key role to play in the agricultural sector development objective of
modernisation of agriculture. It has undertaken a systematic analysis of its strategies and
operations. The conclusion drawn from the analysis is that, to increase the effectiveness of its
contribution, NARO has to develop a client-led research agenda and to implement it in a
participatory manner within a production systems framework. To this end, it has conducted a
series of re-orientation activities, which have included participatory re-definition of its mission,
vision and strategy, and the re-formulation of its research programmes using a logi.m1
framework. The higher objectives in the framework are derived from the sector strategy .Ebr
modernisation of agriculture and, in the activities, the framework emphasises participatory ar_d
systems adaptive research approaches. In the re-orientation endeavour, NARO has received the
backing of DFID. The expectation is that the process will clarify the possible areas for longterm
DFID support to NARO through its bilateral programmes and the Renewable Natural
Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS), and will strengthen linkages with NARO's partners.