Research Outreach Department

Research Outreach Department (ROD) is the technology transfer and agricultural extension arm of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike. The Department is responsible for coordinating farming systems research and agricultural extension services across the South-East agro-ecological zone of Nigeria, covering Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.

The Research Outreach Department serves as a vital link between research and end-users by facilitating the dissemination, adoption, and utilization of improved agricultural technologies developed by the Institute. Through adaptive research, capacity building, demonstration farms, farmer training, extension publications, radio and television programmes, digital communication platforms, and strategic partnerships, the Department supports sustainable agricultural development and promotes improved productivity and profitability within root and tuber crop value chains.

Core Programmes

The Department operates through two core programmes:

Farming Systems Research Programme

The Farming Systems Research Programme identifies farmers’ production constraints and develops location-specific solutions through farming systems research. The Programme supports the evaluation and application of technologies that respond to farmers’ production realities.

Extension Services Programme

The Extension Services Programme facilitates the dissemination and promotion of research findings and improved agricultural technologies among farmers, extension personnel, agribusinesses, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

Role and Strategic Importance

The Research Outreach Department is committed to innovation, knowledge sharing, and stakeholder engagement. It plays an important role in strengthening research–extension–farmer linkages and promoting the application of agricultural research outcomes.

Through its activities, the Department contributes to:

• Improving food and nutrition security.
• Promoting climate-smart agriculture.
• Supporting value addition.
• Enhancing the livelihoods of farming communities.
• Facilitating the adoption of agricultural innovations.
• Supporting sustainable rural development and national food security.
  
  

Through its multidisciplinary team and collaborative approach, the Research Outreach Department continues to facilitate the connection between agricultural research and its practical application, supporting the widespread adoption and utilization of technologies developed by NRCRI.