BRIDGING THE INFORMATION GAP IN AFRICAN AGRICULTURE: CABI's AFRICAN AGRICULTURAL LITERATURE SERVICE

Responding to the need expressed by agricultural researchers in Africa for improved access to the research literature, and the original documents, CAB International initiated a two‐year pilot project in 1987 to provide a literature service to researchers in its member countries in Africa. The paper describes the background to the project, its conception, implementation and progress to date, and some of the problems identified in trying to provide such a service. The objective has been very much to minimize cost and administrative procedures at both ends, to provide a timely, cost‐effective and useful service to as many researchers as possible. Although overall response has been patchy, the enthusiastic participation from some countries has indicated the value of the service, although it obviously needs some refinement if it is to be extended over a longer period or to more users.