The Master Plan for Agricultural Research includes three chapters: 1) History and achievements of ISABU; 2) Needs and expectations in terms of agricultural research in Burundi; 3) Research priorities and methods at ISABU and annexes. The first chapter outlines the achievements of agricultural research conducted at ISABU as well as current programs.

The second chapter summarizes the needs and expectations in terms of agricultural research gathered during a vast consultation process that brought together representatives of producers and agricultural management services, policy makers and private actors working in agricultural and agro-industrial sectors, in 7 regional consultation workshops between ISABU and its agricultural development partners. This section also outlines the strengths and weaknesses of the Institute in light of the expectations expressed by the various partners and the political guidelines contained in three strategic documents, namely: the CSLP, the SAN, the CAADP and the NEPAD CAADP.

The third chapter sets out proposals for research priorities and methods through which a desire to rationalize and consolidate programs and the consideration of recent methodological developments applied in other research institutions are reflected. The latter are the multidisciplinary approach, the systemic approach in agricultural research, the participatory approach and the evolution of agrarian systems, the concept of sustainable development as well as the consideration of the environmental component in agricultural research and production.
Thus, research activities are consolidated under the following five main themes:

Theme 1 — Ecological intensification and diversification of crops
Theme 2 — Improvement of livestock performances
Theme 3 — Valorization of agricultural and livestock products
Theme 4 — Characterization and improvement of agrarian systems
Theme 5 — Study of the relationship between agriculture and the environment

This ambitious research master plan meets the needs expressed by agricultural development partners as well as by users of research products. The implementation of such a plan requires a great deal of expertise that will need to be acquired through training and closer cooperation with both national and international research partners as well as through the very active participation of ISABU in regional research and development initiatives. This summary brochure is intended for policy makers, agencies and donors.