AGRIS (International System for Agricultural Science and Technology) - Short Review

Product Overview: AGRIS (International System for Agricultural Science and Technology)

Introduction

AGRIS (International System for Agricultural Science and Technology) is a comprehensive global public database and network managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Since its inception in 1974, AGRIS has been a pivotal resource for accessing and disseminating agricultural science and technology information worldwide.

What AGRIS Does

AGRIS serves as a central hub for bibliographic information related to agricultural research and technology. Its primary objective is to improve the accessibility and exchange of agricultural information, catering to the needs of both developed and developing countries. This is achieved through a collaborative network of over 150 institutions from 65 countries, which contribute to the database and ensure its global relevance.

Key Features

1. Comprehensive Database

• AGRIS contains over 13.5 million structured bibliographic records on agricultural science and technology, covering a wide range of subjects including forestry, animal husbandry, aquatic sciences, fisheries, human nutrition, and extension.

2. Multilingual Access

• The database provides access to bibliographic records in more than 90 languages, enhancing its usability for a diverse global audience. This multilingual capability is supported by AGROVOC, a multilingual thesaurus that covers over 39,000 agricultural concepts across 40 languages.

3. Diverse Content

• AGRIS indexes various types of resources such as journal articles, monographs, books, book chapters, conference papers, grey literature (including unpublished scientific and technical reports, theses, and dissertations), and datasets. This ensures a broad spectrum of agricultural knowledge is available to users.

4. Full Text Accessibility

• While AGRIS primarily indexes bibliographic references, a significant portion (around 20%) of these records include links to the full text of the documents, which can be easily retrieved through search engines like Google.

5. Collaborative Network

• The AGRIS network comprises hundreds of organizations worldwide, including academic institutions, development programs, international and national organizations, governmental bodies, libraries, publishers, and research centers. This collaborative effort ensures the database remains updated and relevant.

6. Advanced Search and Navigation

• Users can navigate AGRIS effectively using advanced search techniques and the AGROVOC thesaurus. The user-friendly search interface and detailed user guides facilitate optimal use of the database’s vast repository of agricultural knowledge.

7. Automatic Data Upload and Harvesting

• AGRIS features an Automatic Data Upload (ADU) functionality that simplifies the data submission process for data providers. Additionally, FAO has implemented a data harvesting component to automate the ingestion of bibliographic data, ensuring the database remains current and accurate.

Functionality

• Knowledge Dissemination: AGRIS promotes knowledge transfer and informed decision-making by providing global access to food and agriculture scientific literature.
• Standardization and Collaboration: It fosters the use of common standards and methodologies for bibliographic information, enhancing the exchange of information among stakeholders.
• Multilingual Support: The use of AGROVOC ensures that content is discoverable across multiple languages, transcending linguistic barriers.
• User Accessibility: The database is accessible through a user-friendly search interface, making it a valuable resource for students, scientists, librarians, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the agriculture sector.
• Data Provision and Updating: The network and automated data harvesting ensure that the database is continuously updated with new and relevant content.

In summary, AGRIS is a robust and inclusive platform that facilitates global access to agricultural science and technology information, supporting research, knowledge sharing, and informed decision-making in the food and agriculture sectors.