The RMI consists of 29 atolls, each made up of many islets, and 5 single islands. The total number of atolls and islets in the whole RMI is approximately 1,225; spreading across a sea area of over 1.9 million square kilometers. The total land area is about 181 square kilometers. The mean height of the land is about 2 meters above sea level. The dispersed nature of the islands means that shipping plays a very important part in the economy. Agricultural production is relatively small but important to the livelihood of people and the economy of the Marshall Islands. It comprises food crops, small livestock and one cash crop, copra. Agriculture and fishing development, particularly for the outer islands, was emphasized as a people’s priority to address hardship and poverty (ADB 200318). There is some underutilized land offering potential for increased output of agricultural food crops, but this is limited and soil growing conditions are generally poor.

View NMTPF Marshall Island Report