The Centre has 7 thematic research programmes namely, Agricultural mechanization for crops and livestock, Crop health technologies, Development of dryland crop varieties, Livestock pasture improvement, Natural resource management technologies, Socioeconomics and Policy and Outreach and partnership.

Sub-centres

To effectively discharge the above mandate and therefore address the needs of its clientele, Katumani has 4 sub-centers and numerous experimental sites across its mandate districts. The sub-centers are Ithookwe in Kitui District and Masongaleni, Kambi-ya-Mawe and Kiboko in Makueni District.