The main goal of CCAFS-CPLP is to train farmers, technicians, and other relevant actors. For this, a reference network for exchanging knowledge and cooperation on sustainable agriculture and agroecology in the CPLP is being promoted. Among other goals, there is the consolidation of sustainable agriculture in Sao Tome and Principe and its international recognition as an example of good practice piloting.

To achieve these goals, the Center operates in the following major areas of knowledge:

• Promotion of sustainable use of natural resources;
• Valorisation of agrobiodiversity and socio-biodiversity products;
• Sovereignty and food and nutrition security.

The following activities are expected to be carried out:

• seminars and thematic workshops for the exchange of national and international knowledge, covering productive practices, rural extension services, training and investigation to materialise the conception and practice of dialogues of in-person and distanced knowledge;
• local techno-productive pilot projects in ecosystems similar to other CPLP countries and local experimental units of agroecological production for national and international teaching and learning activities. These activities will include the implementation/construction of a plant germplasm bank for endemic cultures and/or in extinction, initially at the national level, and later expanding to a regional bank, encompassing plant germplasm from the different CPLP Member States;
• constitution of a virtual library and video library in partnership with the CPLP research organisations, universities, and professional schools;
• training courses and other distance education actions, through a communication platform, virtual debates, and other electronic resources in partnership with the CPLP teaching organisations, in particular with Universidade Aberta;
• exchange activities according to the farmer-to-farmer methodology, which recognises the peasants' knowledge;
• national, regional, and international technical-scientific events;
• studies and research in intervention areas;
• scientific residency for masters' and doctoral students from the CPLP countries;
• provision of services to national, regional, and international entities, considering the Center's capacities.

CCAFS’ approach implies multidisciplinarity and teaching methodologies that value farmers' knowledge. These include identifying local problems and a joint search for solutions through dialogue with the knowledge emanating from the investigation institutions of the CPLP Member States. The experiences exchange is essential in the process of knowledge co-construction. Social relations of gender and generation are considered, valuing women's knowledge and practices and encouraging young people's participation. Agroecology encompasses the technical, scientific, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions.