The overall function of Arid and Range Lands Research Institute (ARLRI) is two-fold:

1. Advise on and develop appropriate systems to promote balanced, diversified and sustained agricultural development and to optimize agricultural production through adaptive and investigative research;
2. Facilitate the use of improved production technology and to establish adequate feedback systems from agricultural producers in order to achieve and maintain national self-sufficiency and export capacities in products.

Specifically the institute’s main activities are:

1. Organizing, designing and carrying out on-station and on-farm research in the rangelands (arid and semi-arid drylands) as prioritized by the Institute.
2. Identification of  production, policy, market, processing and utilization constraints in rangeland value chains  and prepare short and long-term research programs within the framework of the national agricultural research system;
3. Identification and dissemination, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, appropriate systems of mechanization and technology options to improve agricultural production and provide answers to foreseeable problems facing rangeland production
4. Collaboration with the extension and education services and other organizations, agencies and institutions including schools, technical institutions and universities, public or private, to disseminate research results and technologies;
5. Establishment  and maintenance of  regular contact with regional and international agricultural research Centres to ensure the rapid introduction, evaluation and use of improved technology of potential benefit to the country;
6. Conduct, in association with the secretariat, annual reviews of research results and modify research programs as appropriate;