Underpinning the research of the World Agroforestry Centre are the following pillars.

  • Accelerating the use and impact of our research
    We use a knowledge-to-action framework to strengthen efforts to produce research outputs that target specific users.
  • Enhancing science quality
    We work according to principles and criteria that ensure quality science at various stages of the research process, starting with the articulation of the problems (context), engaging in the research process (mechanism), and finally achieving outcomes or impacts.
  • Strengthening partnerships
    We implement a considerable amount of our research agenda with partners from the South and North, using mechanisms that reinforce synergy and complementarities to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Enhancing operational efficiency
    We invest in systems that enhance management operations, human resources, communications, monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilization, and risk management.

Key documents and activities

Medium Term Plans

These rolling three year plans outline how we will implement our research agenda. Each plan is reviewed annually in the context of current developments, priorities and strategies, and the context of future requirements and opportunities.

Performance Reports

Each of the research centres under the umbrella of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) are required to report against performance indicators which measure their outputs and outcomes.

Stakeholder Perception Survey 2006

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research commissioned a report on how key stakeholders perceive the CGAIR as a whole and its 15 research centres.

Science Week

Every year, the World Agroforestry Centre brings its key scientific staff together to discuss and evaluate the quality, impacts and directions of our research.

The most recent Science Meeting was held from 31 August to 2 September 2009.

Highlights from Science Week 2008

Programme Committee Meetings

World Agroforestry Centre staff meet once a year to discuss programs, administration and key issues across all research areas and regions.

The next meeting of the committee is 3-5 September 2009.

External review

In 2006 an extensive and comprehensive 3rd External Programme and Management Review (EPMR) [ Visit Website or view Centre's Response ] was conducted of the World Agroforestry Centre by a panel of experts.

The next EPMR will be undertaken in 2011.