In 2025, the International System for Agricultural Science and Technology (AGRIS), managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), proudly marks a landmark achievement: the database now offers global access to more than 16 million structured bibliographic records.

Since its inception as a paper-based initiative in the 1970s, AGRIS has evolved into one of the world’s largest open-access global databases dedicated to agricultural research. It plays a vital role in facilitating the exchange of knowledge across countries, institutions, and disciplines. This year also commemorates AGRIS’s 50th anniversary - a testament to five decades of international collaboration, digital innovation, and steadfast commitment to equitable access to information. 

Current Highlights of AGRIS:

• Over 16 million bibliographic records
• 2,015 data providers
• Content available in 123 languages
• Contributions from 168 countries
• Diverse content types including journal articles, datasets, books, theses, reports, multimedia, and more.

This remarkable expansion reflects the strength of collaboration among national institutions, universities, publishers, and research centres—all united by a shared vision: to make agricultural and food-related knowledge freely and widely accessible.

A Legacy of Growth and Innovation

AGRIS has demonstrated consistent and impressive growth since 1975, when the platform started with only 14,242 records. By 2021, it had surpassed six million records. In a notable surge, the number of records nearly tripled in just four years, reaching over 16 million records by 2025. 

The number of contributing data providers has also grown substantially—  from 94 in 1975 to 619 in June 2024, and then to 2,015 in September 2025. This surge reflects a global movement toward open science and knowledge sharing. These institutions contribute not only peer-reviewed research but also local knowledge, innovations, and community-based practices that are essential to sustainable development. 

Through its open-access platform, AGRIS actively advances global efforts to strengthen food and agricultural systems by facilitating access to high-quality, relevant, and timely scientific information. By serving the needs of farmers, researchers, policymakers, educators, and development practitioners, AGRIS contributes to the creation of more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems worldwide.