The main objective under this pillar is to conduct and support evidence-based agricultural policy research and development in order to promote sustainable agricultural growth as a means of reducing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition in Zimbabwe as well as guide private sector, support private investments and rural development in line with National Development Strategies, regional and international commitments.

Strategic objectives (S0) under this pillar are as follows:

S01: To shape a productive, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agricultural and food system that is capable of achieving broad-based agricultural growth and development to end hunger and malnutrition, and reduce poverty through high quality evidence based public research goods on policies, investments, and programmes.

S02: To conduct, catalyse, assist, curate and support policy research and analysis in Zimbabwe or elsewhere into all aspects of agriculture.

The key activities that will be undertaken to achieve the strategic objectives will fall under three broad thematic areas with issues to do with gender and youth as cross-cutting. The strategic thematic areas are: