The ARC aims to promote the agricultural and related sectors through research, technology development and transfer. It is a network of research institutes around South Africa, each with a different specific focus.

These focus areas include agri-business; agricultural and food biotechnology; biodiversity; agricultural development; food security; geographic information systems; indigenous knowledge systems; business development; institutional capacity; national services for public benefit; sustainable rural livelihoods; value-added production and processing; intensive and extensive crop and animal production systems; and land care.

The website has further information on the various ARC research institutes, including lists of each institute's publications. Some publications can be downloaded in full text form and others must be ordered.