The Department’s six research stations, namely Cedara, Kokstad, Dundee, Makhathini, Owen Sitole (OSCA) and Bartlow Combine, are required to conduct research on-station, to build expertise and for technology transfer. These research stations serve the major agricultural ecological areas within the Province, as indicated below:
| Research Station | Size of the farm (ha) | Cultivated land (ha) | Applicable Bioresource Group |
| Cedara | 1000 | 275 | Moist Midlands Mistbelt – Ngongoni veld |
| Dundee | 1336 | 140 | Sour Sandveld |
| Kokstad | 1254 | 75 | Highland Sourveld (Moist & Dry) |
| Makhathini | 440 | 180 | Lowveld (Main Research Station) and Sandy Bush & Palm Veld (Top Farm) |
| OSCA | 870 | 65 | Moist Coast Forest Thorn and Palm Veld |
| Bartlow Combine | 2200 | 0 | Dry Zululand Thornveld and Lowveld |