Biotech Updates

New IFAD-Supported National Program for Comoros

August 31, 2007

A National Program for Sustainable Human Development in the Comoros was recently launched to assist farmers and fishers to raise their income and food security. A much-needed natural resource management practice will be introduced by the program to improve productivity for the 20,000 families living in poor, environmentally fragile areas of the islands of Anjouan, Grande Comore and Mohéli. Among other things, the program will: introduce sustainable practices to rehabilitate degraded lands and coastal areas; introduce a system of terraces and ‘live fences’ in water catchment areas to help preserve soil fertility and prevent silting; and help revitalize agricultural training centers under a new more efficient and participatory type of management.

The US$7.2 million fund will come from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Global Environment Facility and the Comoros' Diaspora.

See press release at: http://www.ifad.org/media/press/2007/37.html