Farming is the most important part of the economy of Comoros. Around 80% of the entire population depends on farming. The soil of Comoros is fertile and volcanic. Comoros is known for its world-class vanilla, cloves and ylang-ylang. Comoros has earned its place in the international markets for producing world-class crops! The soil of Comoros makes this country perfect for agriculture. These conditions help the farmers and the investors secure a good profit.

Agriculture in Comoros does not only help the people of Comoros with food, it also helps the country’s economy. But farming in Comoros faces some challenges. Farmers do not have modern tools, face unpredictable weather, and have limited land to grow crops. These issues put a limit on how much farmers can produce. This article will explore how farming helps Comoros, the problems farmers face, and the ways investment and better farming methods can bring change.

Comoros grow many major crops. These crops help the people with food and also help the country’s economy. The main food crops which Comoros grows are bananas, coconuts and cassava. In 2018, farmers of Comoros produced nearly 106,000 tons of coconuts, 66,000 tons of cassava and nearly 46,000 tons of bananas.

These crops support many families of Comoros. People use coconuts in cooking and making oil. Bananas and cassava provide energy and nutrients. Farmers of Comoros also grow rice, sweet potatoes and taro.

For gaining profit, Comoros focuses mainly on cloves, vanilla and ylang-ylang. Cloves were the top export of Comoros in 2022, making up 71% of all exports. This shows how important cloves are for the economy of Comoros. Ylang-ylang and other other perfume ingredients contributed 9% and vanilla contributed 4% of the total exports. 

Cloves are used in making spices and medicines. People all around the world use ylang-ylang flowers to produce essential oil for perfumes. Vanilla is used as a popular flavouring in foods. Comoros mainly grows these crops in the coastal areas because of the ideal solid and climate. 

In Comoros farming is one of the most important parts of life, 70%-80% of the entire population of Comoros depends on farming. Most of the farmers use traditional farming tools and methods instead of advanced ones. This is the main reason behind low crop yields compared to other countries. 

The use of fertilisers and pesticides are very low, More than 80% of the farmers do not use any kind of fertilizers or pest control. This low usage of essential fertilisers and pesticide is another main reason behind low yeilds. 

Farmers of Comoros do not use advanced tools for farming. They still use their basic tools and use of advanced farming tools is still pretty rare in Comoros. Because of these farming in Comoros is less efficient and more labor-intensive, 

These old methods and usage of old tools result in lower crop yields. Applying modern tools and modern methods can improve yields and support Comoros’ economy.

Agriculture is a very important part of Comoros’ economy as this provides jobs to about 80% of the population. Agriculture plays a really important role in export earnings. 

1.Contribution to GDP

Farming contributes more than 40% to Comoros’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This makes agriculture one of the biggest industries in the country. The sector supports thousands of families.

2.Farming as a Source of Employment

Most of the farmers of Comoros grow the crops for their own use and they sell the extra crops for some earning. This means that while many people depend on farming, most of them do not earn good incomes from it.

3.Agriculture and Export Revenue

Comoros depends a lot on farming exports. The country sells cloves, ylang-ylang, and vanilla to other countries.

• Cloves are the top export, adding 71% to the total exports in 2022.
• Ylang-ylang is used in perfumes and added 9% to exports that year.
• Vanilla added 4% to the exports.

4.Farming and Food Security

Even though Comoros grows many crops, it imports about 70% of its food. This is because many farmers grow cash crops instead of food. If more farmers focused on food crops, Comoros could reduce its reliance on imported food and become more self-sufficient.

Farming in Comoros has the potential to grow. If the farmers of Comoros start using advanced tools and modern methods, they can produce more and earn higher profits.

Farmers in Comoros encounter several obstacles that affect their productivity and livelihoods.

1. Limited Use of Modern Inputs

The use of fertilizers and pesticides is low among Comorian farmers. Only about 20% of farmers utilize any form of fertilizer or pest control, primarily in vegetable farming. This limited application contributes to reduced crop yields.

2. Low Mechanization

Agriculture in Comoros is known for its minimal use of advanced tools. Most farmers depend on basic tools. This dependence on manual labor makes farming less efficient and more labor-intensive. 

3. Climate 

Due to the location, Comoros is considered to be one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Nearly 54.2% of the entire population lives in risky areas. Sea-level rise, floods, droughts, and cyclones are the main enemies of this country. These natural disasters affect agriculture and livelihood. 

4. Water Scarcity

Many rural communities in Comoros depend on rainwater. During droughts, water scarcity becomes a significant issue.

5. Transportation Cost

Geographic location of Comoros and limited infrastructure lead to high transportation costs. This high transportation cost makes it harder for the farmers to access the markets.

Comoros has started using better and safer farming methods. These steps help the land, improve crops, and support farmers. Many projects focus on using natural farming methods, saving water, and helping small farmers grow more food.

1. Organic and Eco-Friendly Farming

More farmers in Comoros now use organic farming, avoiding chemicals to keep the soil healthy. This makes crops safer and helps them sell at higher prices. By 2021, about 40% of vanilla farms started using organic methods. This helped them get special certifications, making their products more valuable in international markets. 

2. Reforestation

Cutting down too many trees for farming has damaged the land. To fix this, the government and NGOs started reforestation projects. Between 2015 and 2022, over 3.2 million trees were planted to stop soil erosion and keep farms fertile. This helps make sure farmers can continue growing food for many years. 

3. Better Water Use for Farming

Many farmers depend on rain, so droughts disrupt crop growth. To solve this problem, new irrigation systems have been set up. In 2023, the government and donors installed 150 irrigation systems, helping 5,000 farmers get water even in dry seasons. This has made farming more stable. 

4. Teaching Farmers New Methods

Programs from the FAO and UNDP have trained over 7,500 farmers in better farming skills since 2020. They learn important farming skills. These skills help grow more food without harming the land. 

5. Helping Small Farmers Grow

Since 80% of Comorian farmers work on small farms, many of them need help to expand. International groups have given loans and equipment to improve farming. In the year 2022, over $3 million was donated to the farmers to buy better tools. 

Comoros has many chances for investment in farming. Improving food production can help farmers earn more and reduce the country’s need to import food. There are several key areas where investment can make a big difference.

1. Poultry Farming

Comoros imports about 20,000 tons of poultry meat and 950,000 eggs every year. This shows a big demand that local farmers cannot meet yet. Investing in better poultry farms, storage, and processing units can help.

2.Fisheries and Aquaculture

Comoros has a very long 427 km coastline, and about 7,600 people work in fishing. However, there is not enough investment in better fishing tools and fish farms. A $10 million investment plan aims to set up 45 fish farms, improve fish processing, and provide safer transport. This could bring an expected return of 19.36%. 

3. Banana Farming

Bananas are a major crop in Comoros, but farmers produce only 5.5 tons per hectare, which is pretty low. Investors can invest in this sector to help improve farming methods, increase storage space, and expand processing plants. This could help farmers produce more bananas and investors can secure good profit. 

4. Sustainable Farming and Water Use

Better farming techniques like climate-smart agriculture and agroforestry can improve food production and protect the environment. Using better irrigation and soil protection methods can help farmers deal with climate change. These ideas make farming stronger for the future. 

5. Agribusiness and Processing Factories

There is a huge opportunity to start businesses that process vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang. Instead of selling raw products, Comoros can process and package them locally. This will create jobs and increase export earnings.

Investors can invest in these sectors and secure a really healthy return.

Farming in Comoros is growing, and some farmers and groups have found great success. By working together and using better methods, they have improved their businesses and earned more money.

1. Djamilia Alaoui and the Ylang-Ylang Cooperative

Djamilia Alaoui is part of a ylang-ylang cooperative that has improved farmers’ work. The group includes 250 women who are flower pickers, 50 planters, and 47 distillers. By working as a team, they have made the process faster and more profitable. The cooperative produces about 400 liters of ylang-ylang oil every month, which is mostly sold in other countries. This has helped many farmers earn a good income. 

2. Houria Said Muhammed and NectaLab

Houria Said Muhammed started NectaLab, a company that makes beauty products from ylang-ylang oil. She began by working from home and later expanded her business with help from an international program called EIF. She got better equipment and advice on branding. Today, NectaLab makes about 200 products every month, proving that Comorian businesses can grow with the right support. 

3. Bihaicha and Natura Farm

Bihaicha and two partners started Natura Farm in Grande Comore, Comoros. They faced problems like cattle diseases and slow milk production but they did not give up. They took a loan of €120,000 to buy land, bring in cows, and build better facilities. Now, their farm has six cows, two calves, and a bull, helping supply fresh dairy products to local markets.

1. Using Better Farming Technology

New tools can help farmers grow more crops. Smart irrigation systems save water. Weather prediction apps help farmers plan when to plant and harvest. These changes can improve harvests and make farming more stable.

2. Selling to More Countries

Comoros is famous for ylang-ylang oil and vanilla. Selling these products to more countries can bring in more money. Better marketing and improved quality can help Comoros reach new buyers.

3. Sustainable Farming for the Future

Farmers are using better ways to grow crops without harming the land. Organic farming and agroforestry help protect soil and water. These methods also make crops more valuable in global markets.

4. Support from Government and Other Countries

The government and international groups are helping farmers. They are building better roads, giving loans to farmers, and offering training programs. These efforts make farming easier and more profitable.

By using better tools, selling more products, and getting more support, farming in Comoros can grow stronger. This will help farmers earn more and make the country’s economy better.

Farming is very important for Comoros. It gives jobs to 80% of the entire population of Comoros. Vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang are sold to other countries. Bananas, cassava, and coconuts are grown for food. 

But farmers face many challenges. They use old tools, and old methods. Because of these, they cannot grow enough crops to compete with other countries. Also, Comoros imports 70% of its food from outside, which shows farming needs to improve.

The future of farming is bright. Using better tools, smart irrigation, and training will help farmers grow more and earn more profit. More farmers are also using organic and eco-friendly methods, which can make their crops worth more in markets worldwide. The government and other countries are helping by giving loans and training so farmers can work more easily.

If Comoros invests more in farming, it can grow more food, sell more crops, and create more jobs. With the right support, farming can help the economy grow and make life better for many people.

1. Why is farming important in Comoros?

Farming is very important for Comoros. It gives jobs to 80% of the people and helps the country earn money. Comoros sells vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang to other countries. Farming also helps people get food to eat.

2. What are the main crops grown in Comoros?

Farmers grow food crops like bananas, cassava, and coconuts. They also grow cash crops like cloves, vanilla, and ylang-ylang. These are sold to other countries to make money.

3. What problems do farmers in Comoros face?

Farmers do not have modern tools. Many use old farming methods and depend on rain for water. Droughts, bad roads, and high costs make farming harder. Climate change also affects crops.

4. How does the government help farmers?

The government is giving loans and training to help farmers. They are also building better roads so farmers can sell crops easily. New farming methods, like smart irrigation and organic farming, are being introduced.

5. Can farming in Comoros improve in the future?

Yes! If farmers get better tools, more training, and support, they can grow more crops. Selling more to international markets will help Comoros earn more money. Organic farming and new technology can also help farmers succeed.