The Centre for Agricultural Research and Development (CARD) is mandated to offer local and international research services in agricultural production and productivity, commercialization, processing, value addition, and market systems, agri-food systems transformation, natural resource management, energy and climate change, resilience, gender, and social inclusivity, among other areas.

CARD has combined its resources to provide independent consulting services with overseas researchers. CARD has the requisite expertise and experience working with reputable international (research) organizations such as the World Bank, United Nations Food and Agricultural Organizations (FAO), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) (USA), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), CIFOR (Indonesia/Zimbabwe), University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, Wits University, University of Copenhagen, University of Greenwich and Natural Resources Institute (United Kingdom), University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Clark University (USA).

Our impartiality is of vital importance to our clients and is their guarantee of receiving independent and neutral professional advice. Our staff covers a wide range of development and engineering disciplines, with a high proportion of economists in addition to engineers and natural and social scientists from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) faculties, representing a working environment that is truly multi-disciplinary.

CARD activities are undertaken by highly motivated, dedicated, and committed staff to contribute to the generation of information and knowledge needed for designing agricultural and natural resource interventions to lift people out of poverty. The organization is also committed to transferring knowledge to households on existing opportunities for increased access to output and input markets, credit, and other vital information generated through research.

The Centre for Agricultural Research and Development (CARD) is an umbrella Agricultural Policy Research Institute that oversees two key units: the Agricultural Policy Research Unit (APRU) and the Agricultural Policy Analysis Training Unit (APATU).

The Agricultural Policy Research Unit (APRU) researches agrifood systems, rural development, food security, climate change, environment, and natural resource management, among other topics. APRU aims to generate evidence-based policy recommendations that support sustainable agricultural growth, inclusive wealth creation, and economic development. Its research typically covers areas such as value chains and market systems, soil health services, policy impacts, and the role of agrifood systems in sustainable economic transformation. The Agricultural Policy Analysis Training Unit (APATU) is primarily responsible for building the capacity of policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in agrifood systems' policy analysis. APATU provides training programs, workshops, and technical support to enhance skills in policy formulation, data analysis, and decision-making processes related to agrifood systems, rural development, food security, climate change, environment, and natural resource management.