-    Poverty rate in Mongolia: 28.4% reported in 2018, but up to 50% expected in 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis.

-    Agriculture sector in Mongolia = 2^nd biggest economic pillar (after mining), dominated by livestock. Slight increase in overall agricultural production for last few years. Contributed 1.1% in GDP growth in 2019.

-    Climate Change both an opportunity and a risk in Mongolia. Vegetable production is a solid complement and alternative to some livestock-based economies, but still in an early stage of development (including at its institutional/organisational level).

-    Vegetable production covering only 39% of demand, mainly due to climatic conditions with short growing season and arid weather, as well as big imports from China.

Outcomes 1 and 2: Smallholder farmers and their cooperatives;

Outcome 3: Farmer organisations (MFARD, extension centres) and mechanism: Vegetable Seed Reserve Unit (VSRU, formerly: Seed Reserve Fund SRF);

Outcome 4: MOFALI and national parliament.

1.    Livelihood of rural and peri-urban small holder farmers and women headed households is improved through increased vegetable production to fulfil domestic consumption demand.

2.    The marketing of domestic vegetables (including those from small-scale farmers and women headed households) is well organised, profitable, in line with market trends and consumers’ preferences, with primary and secondary cooperatives in lead.

3.    The organisational development, governance structure and financial management of farmer organisations (including Vegetable Seed Service units) is strengthened.

4.    Sustainable and inclusive growth of the vegetable sector is fostered by improved policy/legal and institutional framework.

Erwartete Resultate:  

1.1    Vegetable seeds suitable to agro-climatic conditions in Mongolia are tested, approved and vegetables produced;

2.1    Supply chain of vegetables from farmer’s gate to markets is operational and driven by farmer cooperatives; 

3.1    MFARD has a long-term vision and is managed according to good governance principles; 

4.1    Plant Protection and Food security Laws are revised in collaboration with the relevant department of the Ministry.

Resultate von früheren Phasen:  

-    79 varieties of 39 vegetable crops released nationwide from 1968 to 2019, of which 49% (= 39) are the products of trials by VEGI phase 1 and its predecessor the Potato Programme.

-    Thanks to introduction of early and late maturing varieties adapted to agro-climatic conditions and to accustomed storage facilities, vegetable varieties are available for almost 10 continuous months instead of only 6 months at the beginning of phase 1.

-    Domestic production of root vegetables suitable for winter storage (potato, carrot, turnip, beetroot) reached 100% of the domestic demand.

-    Onion and garlic imports from China fell by 39% (= 10’581 tonnes) and cabbage by 4.3% (= 1’566 tonnes) as of 12.2019 compared to 12.2018.

-    Income of farmers supported by VEGI increased by 83%, to MNT 3.3 million (= CHF 1’244).

-    Model street/household approach reached 330 households from 21 streets who planted vegetable on 5 ha and harvested 8 tons of vegetables in 2019.

-    Draft law on plant variety and seed submitted to the Parliament.

Outcome 1 and 2: Mandate to the Mongolian Farmers Association for Rural Development (MFARD);

Outcome 3: Mandate(s) to Coaching entities;

Outcome 4: Contribution to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

ADB (irrigation and production)

EU (value chain)

FAO

ADRA (organic)

JICA (NAEC)

KOICA (seedlings)

SDC funded Education for Sustainable Development project (ESD)

Phase 2 01.08.2020 - 31.10.2023   (Completed)