Fostering Research based programs in Africa

Institute for Rural Development (IRD) is a registered and tax compliant institution that provides leadership in rural development by conducting a wide range of development research, consultancy services and tailored programing. Our mission is to provide applied research and innovative programming that reduces poverty and promote sustainable development in Southern African communities. Registered in Southern Africa Malawi, IRD is a reputable institution committed to providing high-quality consultancy, research, policy advice, business development, training and facilitation and project management services in Agriculture, natural resource management (NRM), Agribusiness, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Private sector development, and Education. We provide high-quality research and policy advice, thereby bridging the gap between research and policy action. IRD prioritizes people-centered development and evidence informed programming.

We believe that high quality evidence-based research is a panacea for better programs and policies that most likely address the complex social-economic challenges undermining the current development efforts. Our interdisciplinary approach in meticulously unearthing the layers of symptoms and root cause of a problem warrant our capability in solving a complexity of challenges facing the private, public and the civil society. IRD is well positioned for this cause drawing from a pool of more than 10 multidisciplinary tried and tested associates with; both continental and local experience. These talented individuals demonstrate an ideal combination of knowledge of the local social and economic environment with sector-wide experience and best practices.

Since its origin, IRD has led a wide range of development and research projects with non-governmental organizations, government departments, Department for International Development (DFID), United Nations (UN), European Union (EU) and donor agencies in Malawi. We have vast and proven experience in designing large scale impact surveys, mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) in data collection and analysis, monitoring and evaluation, agricultural value chains development, food and nutrition security, agricultural financing and marketing, household resilience and climate change, education, health, rural development and poverty reduction.