Participatory research methodology development in parallel with technology development that responded to the needs of the farming community was done in Embu, a semi-arid area of Kenya. The work involved problem diagnosis, research design, trial implementation and evaluation, as well as demonstration and dissemination of options and recommendations for producing new crops and varieties, crop utilisation, soil and water management, tools and tillage, animal health and agroforestry. The work contributed to strategic socio-economic research on participatory research options within national programmes, improved the capacity of resource poor communities and national research institutions to conduct collaborative participatory agricultural research, reduced risks in dryland farming, and increased productivity and crop diversity thereby enhancing household food security.