The aim is to provide farmers in the Asian and Pacific region with improved practical information about new technology, to help them achieve higher yields and better incomes. The Center does not disseminate information directly to Asian farmers. There are too many of them, and too many different languages would be needed. Some information is collected through networks of research and extension centers. The Center also holds 4-8 international seminars and workshops each year on topics of major regional importance.
Surveys are another way of collecting information on important topics.
The Center carries out surveys each year with the help of local cooperators. Information is disseminated via the Internet, at training courses, and in publications. Each year the Center distributes 20-40 technical publications free of charge to more than 2000 libraries and extension centers, most of them in the Asian and Pacific region. FFTC publications from 1990 are available free of charge on this database. However, some libraries or readers may wish to buy their own copies from the Center.