The World Agricultural Information Centre (WAICENT) was established in response to the high priority accorded by FAO to (i) the development of an integrated information system, making appropriate use of the latest developments in information management and technology; (ii) the enhancement of access to timely and relevant technical information by FAO Members and the general public; and (iii) the encouragement of FAO Members to utilize information as a key resource for development.
WAICENT integrates and harmonizes standards, tools and procedures for the efficient and effective management and dissemination of high-quality information products, including relevant and reliable statistics, texts, maps and multi-media resources.
During the Second Consultation on Agricultural Information Management, held in Rome, Italy (September, 2002), it was recommended that FAO work with Member Countries to establish national and regional WAICENT focal points, as appropriate, for improved information exchange at national, regional and international levels.
At present, WAICENT focal points have been nominated in thirty eight countries, including Algeria, Armenia, Barbados, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Mali, Mauritius, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Panama, Poland, Sierra Leone, Slovak Republic, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand and Venezuela.
It is expected that WAICENT focal points could play a lead role in promoting and advocating for a better access to FAO's rich information resources and assist in the identification of priorities, major gaps and constraints related to agricultural information management at national level.
