Addressing forest degradation in a Small Island Developing State: a landscape approach in Comoros

Although Small Island Developing States face many of the general challenges of developing countries, it is recognized that they share specific characteristics that increase both the complexity and severity of those challenges. Various global assessments highlight their: limited natural resources, which are under pressure due to high population densities; low institutional capacity; dependence on international trade despite high costs and the difficulty of accessing markets because of their isolation; and greater vulnerability to climate change due to the concentration of people and economic activities in coastal zones. Dahari's efforts towards agricultural development are focused on improving yields in fields lower down the slopes to reduce pressure on upland areas, where most of the remaining forest is situated. The first step is to re-establish the fertility lost due to soil erosion and the failure of agricultural techniques to adapt to change, such as increased population density. Support for market gardening is provided in the form of training and the delivery of high-quality seeds and other agricultural inputs.