RAS are about strengthening capacities, empowering rural people, and promoting innovations. RAS support people to obtain skills and information, and to address challenges so as to improve their livelihoods and well-being.

Traditionally, RAS disseminate information about technologies, markets, inputs and financial services, and assist farmers to develop their farming and management skills. But RAS also broker interactions between farmers, the private sector, research, education, and government. RAS coach different actors to improve market access, deal with changing patterns of risk, and protect the environment.