The most important research fields covered by researchers of the Institute are soil tillage, plant physiology and genetics, technology of plant production, plant protection including nematology, phytopharmacy and virology, oenology, ruminant nutrition, meat quality, honey, apiculture, agricultural economics and regional development. The professional work is focused on performing expert assignments which proceed from laws and regulations. The results are published in scientific and expert magazines, in reports to contracting partners or in its own series of publications. For field work and conducting experiments the Institute has test fields and experimental stations in the immediate vicinity of Ljubljana. The practical elements of all research, professional and development work are performed on these locations.
Special attention is paid to indigenous genetic sources.
The Institute employs a staff of 129 members, of whom 55 are researchers. The majority of the researchers are agronomists and chemists, but also mechanical engineers, economists, geographers, veterinarians and others. In the past few years a rejuvenation of personnel occurred at the Institute so that there are now no researchers older than 60 years, their average age being 35 years. The Institute is associated with related institutes and institutions at home and abroad. Many of the younger staff have completed or continued their studies at foreign universities and institutes and thus established close contacts with them.