Gobi Oasis project
In the harsh environment of the Gobi Desert - a small project has been running for many years where they plant drought resistant shrubs to stabilise the soil, and grow vegetables for local use. Called Gobi Oasis, it's located on the outskirts of Mandalgobi, the chief town of Dundgobi province. In recent years shortage of funds has resulted in it having to cut back on this valuable work and during 2011 funds were provided to help maintain this project, details on our Projects Page.
Return to top
In the harsh environment of the Gobi Desert - a small project has been running for many years where they plant drought resistant shrubs to stabilise the soil, and grow vegetables for local use. Called Gobi Oasis, it's located on the outskirts of Mandalgobi, the chief town of Dundgobi province. In recent years shortage of funds has resulted in it having to cut back on this valuable work and during 2011 funds were provided to help maintain this project, details on our Projects Page.
Return to top
Poverty still an issue in Mongolia - UNDP Statement
Despite the increasing good news for herders due to Mongolia's fast-growing economy from mineral sources, a report in October by the country's UNDP Administrator Helen Clark stated that the country has shown an average growth of 9% per year over the last decade, largely due to copper prices and gold production, and good progress made towards its MDGs, but poverty has persisted: More than 30 percent of the population still live on less than US$1.25 a day.
World Bank extends loan to Sustainable Livelihoods Programme
The World Bank has extended its loan to the SLP (Sustainable Livelihoods Programme) originally set up in 2002 and due to end 2012. A further $11.0 million of added finance will now extend Phase 2 to June 2013, supported by the EU and Japan. This will further scale up institutional mechanisms set up in Phase 1 to reduce vulnerability and promote livelihoods, and will boost the Pastoral Risk Management and Community Initiatives components.
In its report, WB stated that despite encouraging trends in poverty reduction, there is substantial variation within the country. Poverty incidence in Mongolia is higher in rural areas where almost half of the population lives. Semi-nomadic herder households constitute the single largest group amongst the poor. (Montsame Agency 10th June)
Despite the increasing good news for herders due to Mongolia's fast-growing economy from mineral sources, a report in October by the country's UNDP Administrator Helen Clark stated that the country has shown an average growth of 9% per year over the last decade, largely due to copper prices and gold production, and good progress made towards its MDGs, but poverty has persisted: More than 30 percent of the population still live on less than US$1.25 a day.
World Bank extends loan to Sustainable Livelihoods Programme
The World Bank has extended its loan to the SLP (Sustainable Livelihoods Programme) originally set up in 2002 and due to end 2012. A further $11.0 million of added finance will now extend Phase 2 to June 2013, supported by the EU and Japan. This will further scale up institutional mechanisms set up in Phase 1 to reduce vulnerability and promote livelihoods, and will boost the Pastoral Risk Management and Community Initiatives components.
In its report, WB stated that despite encouraging trends in poverty reduction, there is substantial variation within the country. Poverty incidence in Mongolia is higher in rural areas where almost half of the population lives. Semi-nomadic herder households constitute the single largest group amongst the poor. (Montsame Agency 10th June)
Home Page
Winter Livestock Fodder Plans Almost Complete
MOFALI Minister T.Badamjunai has reported on winter preparation work at a recent Government meeting. He stated that winter and spring preparation for livestock has been 89.6 percent implemented. Except for Dornogobi aimag with 74.9 percent, all other aimags have winter preparation of more than 80 percent. He also said that in total 37.1 million heads of livestock will winter in 180,000 herder households in the country.
(picture left courtesy mn.news)
MOFALI Minister T.Badamjunai has reported on winter preparation work at a recent Government meeting. He stated that winter and spring preparation for livestock has been 89.6 percent implemented. Except for Dornogobi aimag with 74.9 percent, all other aimags have winter preparation of more than 80 percent. He also said that in total 37.1 million heads of livestock will winter in 180,000 herder households in the country.
(picture left courtesy mn.news)
2011 Mongolia's Best Harvest Year Ever
The year has seen the best harvest yet of grain and other crops with 433.4 thousand tons of grain, 191.5 thousand tons of potatoes and 97.2 thousand tons of vegetables, breaking records for harvest volumes. At a press conference in October T.Badamjunai, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MOFALI) congratulated the agricultural industry.
When thanking Premier S.Batbold on behalf of MOFALI and the country's agrarians he remarked that such results have been reached thanks to the cabinet's good policy,. The PM attached importance to providing year round supplies to the people with home-grown high quality grain and vegetables, adding that "it is not just a matter of Mongolia's security, but is also is a guarantee of the development". He also stressed the need for agrarians to focus on problems of harvest transportation and fresh products delivery, promising to give financial support to these matters. (Source Montsame)
The year has seen the best harvest yet of grain and other crops with 433.4 thousand tons of grain, 191.5 thousand tons of potatoes and 97.2 thousand tons of vegetables, breaking records for harvest volumes. At a press conference in October T.Badamjunai, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MOFALI) congratulated the agricultural industry.
When thanking Premier S.Batbold on behalf of MOFALI and the country's agrarians he remarked that such results have been reached thanks to the cabinet's good policy,. The PM attached importance to providing year round supplies to the people with home-grown high quality grain and vegetables, adding that "it is not just a matter of Mongolia's security, but is also is a guarantee of the development". He also stressed the need for agrarians to focus on problems of harvest transportation and fresh products delivery, promising to give financial support to these matters. (Source Montsame)
Herders have prepared 1,181,200 tons of hay, 18,200 tons of straw, 34,300 tons of green fodder, 47,100 tons of processed fodder, and 46,300 tons of hand-prepared fodder. Aimags and the capital have a 62.8 percent animal fodder reserve with soums and districts having a 78.6 percent reserve. (Source: mn.news)
Pasture laws need careful consideration
Speaker D.Demberel met herders during his visit to Duut and Mankhan soums of Khovd aimag. Herders told him that the price of cashmere and camel wool is rising and meat sales are also good. They want the Government to adopt a long-term policy to generate employment in the animal husbandry sector so that young people’s future may be secure. They said they also feel the Government should enforce regulatory measures on use of pastureland, and reorganize, if necessary, the administrative machinery of soums to ensure better performance.
D.Demberel explained how the government has been working to help herders, by adopting the Mongol Livestock program and the setting up of an agricultural goods exchange. He went on to say that an overall national law on pasture land use may not be feasible as different aimags and even soums have different types of land. He did not rule out such a law but said this can be done only after careful consideration. (Source: mn.news)
Providing aid to Mongolia's nomadic herders
C A M D A
Cambridge Mongolia Development Appeal
Charity No: 1086778
Cambridge Mongolia Development Appeal
Charity No: 1086778