FIGIS was conceived in a context of great stress on most major fishery resources and a worldwide concern about the state of the resources and some of their non-sustainable uses. For yet under-utilised stocks, the risk of over-utilization is amplified by globalisation of trade in fish and fishery products. When the 1995 Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries was approved as a basis for policies aimed at sustainable fisheries, a major need for reliable, high-quality and relevant information on the state of world fisheries was identified. FIGIS - the fisheries global information system - was established to address this need. With the adoption by the Committee on Fisheries of the Strategy for Improving Information on Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries (SSTF) on 28 February 2003, FIGIS becomes one of the privileged tools for its implementation.

Hortivar is FAO's database on performances of horticulture cultivars in relation to agro-ecological conditions, cultivation practices, the occurrence of pests and diseases and timing of the production. It covers six categories of horticultural crops: fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers, ornamentals, mushrooms, herbs & condiments.

INPhO, the information Network on Pos-Harvest Operations was designed by FAO with the support and collaboration of GTZ and CIRAD. The main objective is to increase the development of activities of the global post- harvest sector for tropical agricultural products for a better access to technical data and an exchange of information among the different post harvest actors.

LEAD is an Initiative which its targets at the protection and enhancement of natural resources as affected by livestock production while alleviating poverty. Earlier work of LEAD has identified, at a global scale, the consequences of increased pressure on grazing and mixed farming systems and the dangers of the shift to industrial modes of production.

WOCAT is a tool for documenting and evaluating soil and water conservation activities. Collection of information involves personal contact and sharing of knowledge between land users and SWC specialists.