Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI) is the first regional research institute of the country established in the year 2000 following the enactment of the decentralization policy. The institute was initially established by having three research centers, namely Adet, Sirinka and Sheno Agricultural Research Centers, and seven technology multiplication and training centers which have later been converted into research centers and sub-centers. In due course, the institute has established other two new research centers (Sekota Dryland and Gonder Agricultural Research Centers) and has upgraded three trial-sites into sub-centers (Finote Selam, Debre Tabor and Alem Ketema). Sheno Agricultural Research Center has been transferred to Debre Brehan in the former International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) sub-center. Now the institute has eight main research centers (Adet, Sirinka, Debre Brehan, Sekota & Gonder Agricultural Research Centers, Bahir Dar Fishery & Agricultural Mechanization Research Centers, and Andassa Livestock Research Center), five sub-centers (Finote Selam, Debre Tabor, Kobo, Hayk and Alem Ketema), and twenty three permanent trial-sites in different main & sub agro-ecologies of the Region.

Background: Agriculture dominates the regional economy heavily by employing over 90% of the labour force and contributing about 70% of the regional gross domestic products. Therefore, agricultural technology is the sole means to raise production and productivity and bring about economic growth and development. With this realization, various forms of agricultural research systems were established in the last two decades at different levels. The overall goal of the institute and the research centers is to ensure food security in the region and to maintain natural resources. In addition, the institute seeks to transform the low input smallholder rain-fed-traditional agriculture into technology-based agricultural production and promote agriculture-led-industrialization by developing newly improved and appropriate technologies. So far, all research centers under ARARI have made remarkable achievements through such endeavors.

Vision: ARARI aspires to see improved livelihood of the society in the region through use of technologies generated and adapted by the institute.

Mission: Develop, adapt, and disseminate agro-ecologically sound and improved agricultural technologies based on appropriate management and utilization of the bio-diversity and natural resources for the better living standard of the society in the region.

Values: The following are the values of the institute.

1. Research is the main instrument to change the problems of the people.
2. We shall make research to be result oriented and problem solving.
3. We shall do research through participation, with consent of pertinent experts and based on agro-ecology.
4. We strive to make the research system to be transparent and accountable.
5. Coordination is crucial to make research fruitful and result oriented.
6. We shall be honest, devoted and committed.
7. We respect the farmers'culture, attitudes and knowledge.
8. We do research by considering the changing environment.
9. We believe in quality and motivation.
10. Creative workers are the mainstay of the institute.

Objective: The Objectives of the Institute are:

• Generate and adapt agricultural technologies focusing on the agricultural development strategy of the Region, devise working strategies for the multiplication of some of these technologies, conduct research on traditional agricultural methods and develop those of which are beneficial; organization on research programmes, staff training, information and documentation exchange;
• Coordinate agricultural research activities of agricultural research centres, encourages, higher learning institutes and other related organizations to give attention to agricultural research, provide assistance and publicize agricultural research results to be utilized by the end users; and
• Build up research capacity and establish systems that will make the region's agricultural research activities efficient, effective, demand driven and problem solving.

Powers & duties of the Inistitute: The Institute shall have the powers and duties here below:

1. Determine research priorities to effect the Regional Agricultural Research Master Plan that has been formulated based on the country’s science and technology and policies of agricultural development as well as research; develop work plans and programs and implement them when approved by the Regional Government; follow up the execution of same therefore;
2. Formulate the Regional Agricultural Research Policy, initiate updated policy proposals and submit it to the BoARD and regional government and implement same upon approval;
3. Prepare perpetually agricultural Technologies formulated base on different agro-ecological zones and pursuing strictly the relevance to adaptation in order to enable the community taking part in agricultural activities extricate from poverty and transform itself to the highest economic status in a relatively short period of time;
4. Issue guidelines for the proper formulation and preparation of agricultural research programs and projects in line with the Region’s development requirements; and thereby evaluate whether the proposed projects, programs and budget are prepared in accordance with the guidelines;
5. Undertake or cause the undertaking of agricultural research activities on the bases of the Region’s Agricultural Research policy and strategy;
6. Study regularly and submit to the Bureau conditions in which various agricultural research centers and established and organized in the Region and implement same up on approval; evaluate frequently the organizational structure of any research canter under the Institute and Propose to the Bureau to newly establish or dissolve same on the bases of the Regional Agricultural Research Mater plan and implement it upon approval thereof;
7. Create conductive conditions which initiate agricultural researchers for greater results, prepare career structures for researchers depending mainly on real changes which they bring about by outreaching farmers and implement same upon approval thereof;
8. Advertise, in collaboration with appropriate organs, agricultural research results in order to broaden the society’s agricultural scope of knowledge, and undertake appropriate task using suitable mass media,
9. Collect, organize and disseminate information on agricultural research activities and results that have been and to be carried out in the Region, else where in the country and the exchange mechanisms thereto,
10. Participate in efforts exerted for the development and upgrading of human resources working on the Regional Agricultural Research; formulate and implement a strategy enabling to develop and build up the capacity of human resources involve in the Institute;
11. Establish a system of award to persons or institutions which have a record on highest achievements in agricultural research activities in the Region; provide an award or incentive thereof;
12. Encourage professional associations which have been or to be established in the field of agricultural research, and create an enabling condition to facilitate their contribution for the agricultural research activity through information exchanges;
13. Establish relations; pursuant to relevant law, with agricultural research and higher education institutions found at home and abroad as well as with other bodies which are able to provide useful assistances, and conclude agreements with same under the recognition of the Bureau;
14. Participate in all affairs concerned with agricultural research of the Region and consult the Regional Government thereon;
15. Establish, in cooperation with relevant bodies, a system of evaluation in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts and wastage of resources on research projects conducted by the Regional and Federal Agricultural research centers;
16. Register and maintain the list of any person involved or to be involved in an agricultural research activity in the Region and follow up the activity and thereby control the quality of he research by setting a standard;
17. Own properties, enter into agreements, sue and be sued;
18. Submit periodically a performance report to the Bureau and concerned bodies; and
19. Accomplish other related tasks necessary for the attainment of its objectives.