rainfall ls intersperaed wlth drought. Flshing is baeed on small-scale traditional methods, although the excluslve economlc zone has great potential. In addition, the dlstances between the lelands are a Eerlous hlndrance to contacts between them and the econooic and soclal development of the country. llhe Comoros is classified aE a leagt developed country. B. Economic situation 5g. ilhere is widespread malnutrltlon and proteln deficiency in the Comoros. Tttis is largely due to the traditional farming syEtems inherlted from the colonial period which favoured export crops to the detrlment of food crops. For example, rice productlon faUs seriously short of, national needs. Imports are currently between 20,000 and 251000 tong annually and could reach 301000 tons ln 1986. O\ter the last few years, efforts have been made to encourage farmers to grow maize as a substltute for rlce and to plant other food crops with a vlew to achleving food self-sufflclency . 59. The primary sector - agrtculture, anlmal husbandry, fisheries, forestry - employs more than BO per cent of the active population and accounta for alnost all expori earnings. These earnlngs depend heavily upon a few cash crops subject to strong prlce fluctuatlons over which the country has no control. The Comoros is ttre worldrs largest prducer of ylang-ylang perfume essence and the second largest producer of vanilla. Tbe rnanufacturlng sector ls very small and progress in developing thle sector. ls slow. Notwlthstanding a slgniflcant programme of public lnvestmenta over the lagt few years, the physlcat infrastructure and basic utilltiee remaln lnaufficient. 60. In December 1983, the @vernment lssued the lnterim economlc and social development plan for the perlod 1983-1986r which stresses the following priority areaE r (a) Food self-sufftciencYt (b) Improvement of inter-island communicationst (c) Energy production and tdater supplyl (d) Health and populatlon progranmes, (e) Tralningl (f) Physical plannlng and hunan settlements.
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the economic situation of the Comoros, including the country's agricultural sector, natural resources, and infrastructure. It also touches on issues related to food security, employment, and education. The text does not seem to focus on natural disasters, humanitarian aid, or scientific research, which are common themes in other categories.

**Category**
Economic development, Agriculture, forestry and fishing