The Algerian agricultural information and documentation system: how does it support national research and training?

Some ten years ago, because student enrolment was climbing rapidly, Algeria created over twenty training and research facilities devoted to agricultur al sciences in the broad sense of the term. Conditions for accessing inform ation in these establishments, which operate in a context marked by serious financial restrictions, are analysed from both a national and an internati onal vantage point. Shortcomings in the current system make it vital for th e information policy to develop new orientations primarily supported by the creation of a national network where information flows can be maintained t hanks to the new technologies for information and communication (NTIC). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.