The Strategic Plan 2017-2022 delivers the key pathways to strengthen agri-food research and innovation systems (AFRIS), in order to develop agri-food systems and to bring about sustainable agricultural development in Asia and the Pacific. These developments are considered fundamental requirement in the post-2015 development agenda and in realization of the sustainable development goals by 2030 in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Based on the framework provided by the APAARI Vision 2030, the Strategic Plan has been designed by adopting an inclusive and structured processes, comprising i) inception deliberations and conceptualization; ii) online and e-consultations on the challenges, opportunities and needs for interventions; iii) advanced face-to-face consultation on articulation of strategies and activities; and iv) a number of consultative interactions, seeking suggestions and interventions by the APAARI members, the agri-food research and innovations systems, and their partners and primary stakeholders. The purposefully designed Task Team, consisting of APAARI staff and selected consultants, steered the articulation and construction of the Strategic Plan that provides broad strategic elements and also gives directional guidance in terms of specific strategies and actions for implementation through biennial operational plans. The Strategic Plan has been enriched and approved through the statutory processes of the APAARI Executive Committee Meeting on 8th September 2016 and the 14th APAARI General Assembly Meeting of 3rd November 2016.