The national mandate of NRCRI is to research into the genetic improvement, production, processing, storage utilization and socio economies of root and tuber crops of economic importance (yam, cassava, potato, sweet potato, cocoyam, ginger, Housa potato (Solenostemonrotindifolinus), sugarbeet, Radish, Living Stone potato and arrow root).

NRCRI undertakes national and international research collaborations and relevant short term trainings.

NRCRI also has the zonal mandate of researching into the entire farming systems of South-East agro ecological zone. The zone covers – Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States of Nigeria.

NRCRI additionally executes Agricultural Extension Services in liaison with relevant Federal and State Agencies such as National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaisons Services (NAERLS) and the States’ Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs on its mandate crops within the mandate zone.