Biotechnology and drones may be the most visible innovation areas in the world of agriculture, but spare a thought for new approaches to data dissemination.

Data - costly to produce and often complex to communicate - is the key decision-support tool for policy makers engaged in concrete action.

FAO is pleased to launch a new and revamped FAOSTAT web site, making the world's most comprehensive statistical database on food, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, natural resources management and nutrition even more accessible for public use.

The updated web-based tool, now in its fourth edition, includes a host of behind-the-scenes technological improvements as well as user-friendly innovations such as full compatibility with mobile devices and superior download options that will significantly improve the overall user-experience.

FAOSTAT offers free, open and easy access to time-series and cross-sectional data for 245 countries and territories starting from 1961. It typically receives around 200 000 visits per month from national statisticians, government officials, researchers, the private sector, international agencies, civil society and the media from all over the world. 

Read more about FAOSTAT on the FAO website here. 

FAOSTAT is easily accessible at: www.fao.org/faostat.