Information Society Watch

November, 2004, Josué Dioné (UNECA/SDD) et al.

This paper explores the Food Security and Food Policy Information Portal for Africa (FSIP), a multi-language, collaborative internet-based tool that was developed to help Africa achieve its development goals in agricultural sciences, food security and policy reform. The FSIP serves as a space for researchers on agriculture and agricultural policy to share research findings and case studies, training materials and other insights and experiences. The paper presents an overview of the objectives of FSIP and then reviews some of the key challenges that led to its launching as a resource to assist African researchers, policy analysts and policy makers in staying up-to-date with developments in their field and increasing their efficiency. The paper also discusses the implementation plan of FSIP and what remains to be done to expand FSIP to its full potential. Finally, it offers alternatives for how FSIP and its country-level and network partners can include and complement the initiatives of other public and private sector groups in African countries.

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