The BDU aims to cater for the increasing demand for general and investigative studies related to agriculture and rural livelihoods development from different stakeholders including Government departments, international agencies, donor-funded projects, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), private sector organizations, and individuals. These services are tailored to the needs of each particular stakeholder client at each particular time based on agreed terms of reference (ToRs) and works simultaneously with the overall IAPRI approved annual work plan and budget. The BDU competes in the national and international consultancy market by responding to requests for proposals (RFP). The unit provides services in research, training, and other aspects in relation to the stages of development in the project/programme cycle.

The main spectrum of services offered are in areas such as baseline surveys; Feasibility studies/ project formulation/appraisal and evaluation; qualitative and quantitative analysis; Needs and impact assessments/evaluations; broad-based or focused input and output value chain analysis; Gender/environment/natural resources/climate change mainstreaming; and Sustainable livelihood analysis.

The BDU offers training courses relating to the social survey process to individuals and institutions involved in agriculture and rural development. The need for IAPRI to offer training follows increasing demand from various institutions, especially data collection and processing of the development practitioners’ programme activities.  Training needs identified so far are mostly related to some forms of surveys, and monitoring and evaluation activities.  The expertise and experience in data collection, processing and analysis its staff members place the Institute in good stead to provide such training to development practitioners. Emphasis is given to client requested tailor made training services rather than regularly provided ones due to the amount of time it takes to arrange such training courses.

Some of the valued partners that the Institute has worked with include SNV, the BioCarbon Partners (BCP); Michigan State University (MSU); Khulisa; Kantar; GIZ; University of Mannheim; University of Hohenheim; DIE; GIGA, TAF/Technoserve; Norwegian Embassy; GovInn; CTA, Niras Finland, iDE Zambia; Musika Development Initiatives; EU Delegation in Zambia; Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations; VUNA South Africa; United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Bank, International Institute for Environment and Development  (IIED) and The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development is an intergovernmental organization (UNCTAD) among others.