Comoros
Island state, the archipelago of Comoros, is situated between Madagascar and the east African coast. The country (Grand Comore, Anjouan, Moheli) is faced with strong demographic pressure even though it has only 600 000 inhabitants. It has one of the highest population densities in Africa with more than 330 inhabitants per square kilometre. The rate of increase is 3.3% and the population has a very young structure (more than 50% of the population is under 20 years old).
The agricultural sector (comprising herding and fishing) dominates the economy of the country. It occupies 80% of the active population and contributes to 40% of the GDP it is its only export. Stock breeding plays an essential socio-economic role because cattle represents the principal form of savings in the rural environment and contributes in a very significant way to the restoration of the fertility of soils.
The cattle (large or small ruminants) constitute the principal strategy of financial and food security for the Comorian herders, however, the stock breeding sector experiences some changes. A tendency to specialize is observed in some areas: fodder production for some and dairy production for others .......