Bridging the digital gap in agricultural information with AGORA

Students, researchers and academics from developing countries can know access some 400 key journals in food, nutrition, agriculture and related biological, environmental and social sciences thanks to a new initiative launched by FAO called Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA).

AGORA's main objective is to improve food security by increasing the quality and effectiveness of agricultural research, education and training in low-income countries. The initiative is led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and supported by many other private sector, governments and bilateral agencies; specifically by Cornell University with funding provided by the Rockefeller Foundation. The website was created based on tools and systems developed by WHO for a similar service in health called Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative HINARI.

High-quality, relevant and timely agricultural and scientific literature information via the Internet will be just one click away to researchers, policy-makers, educators, students, technical workers and extension specialists for free or at a low cost for those working and studying in qualifying not-for-profit institutions in eligible developing countries.

The AGORA initiative was launched during the World Food Day celebrations at FAO headquarters as part of the numerous efforts being carried out to achieve this year's WFD theme International Alliance Against Hunger.