In 2004, SDC together with a broad range of stakeholders developed and initiated a project to revitalize Mongolia's potato sector. Healthy seed was produced in a decentralized manner and three new, very promising varieties were identified and their multiplication initiated in the context of the new seed scheme. When ware potato producers were able to get small amounts of seed of these new varieties (2006 and 2007), demand for this seed was very high. In 2007 an external review was conducted and a second phase of the "Mongolian potato project" was planned together with stakeholders. The overall goal is to contribute to "better food security and nutrition and higher incomes through enhancing the productivity of the Mongolian potato sector". The project objective is that by the end of phase 2, "potato producers have enhanced their yields and together with other supply chain stakeholders make affordable potatoes available to all Mongolians, thus improving nutrition".

The project in brief

Background	In the fight against widespread poverty, many households have begun to cultivate potatoes and vegetables, which has become a substantial source of alternative income and food security for them. The number of households planting vegetables - predominantly potatoes - increased from a few hundred in 1997 to more than 100,000 in 2004. Mongolia’s potato sector, and in particular the seed-supply system, collapsed in the 1990s during Mongolia’s transition from a centrally planned economy to a free-market economic system. Consequently, the sector’s productivity dropped substantially due to a lack of good-quality seed potatoes, a lack of growers’ skills, and a lack of appropriate technologies, notably in relation to irrigation, storage and management. In response, the Government of Mongolia requested Switzerland’s help in overcoming the challenges and revitalising the sector.
Objectives	Seed multipliers, universities and research institutions, NGOs, vegetable and potato producers, and consumers.
Target groups	Seed multipliers, universities and research institutions, NGOs, vegetable and potato producers, and consumers.
Medium-term outcomes	Outcome 1: Male and female farmers are using certified   potato seeds to regularly renew their own seed stocks. Outcome 2:  Male and female farmers are using certified vegetable seeds for their farming needs. Outcome 3: Male and female consumers are buying locally produced fresh potatoes and processed potato products all year round.
Activities	The MPP has now entered its final phase with an aim to contribute to “enhanced food security, better balanced nutrition and higher income of the population through enhancing the productivity of the Mongolian potato and vegetable sector”.
Results	Achieved results:   Established profitable nationwide seed potato production and distribution; Achieved national self-sufficiency in potato production and increased potato consumption in Mongolia More than 23,000 farmers benefited from high-quality seed potatoes; and Successful implementation of the potato programme laid the foundation for a new vegetable production and marketing project for 2016-2019 Expected results:   Certified potato and vegetable seeds available, seed certification system functioning. New technologies and new techniques for potato and seed production introduced. Farmers trained in seed production technologies. Data management improved (including gender sensitive studies) Results from previous phases:   30 percent of the total potato yield in 2010 is comprised of new varieties introduced by the MPP. Potato yields increased by 42%, growing area by 44%. Overall potato production has more than doubled.   Annual average per capita consumption has increased from 31kg to 61kg in the past five years. Self sufficiency increased from 60% to 100% in 2011.
Directorate/federal office responsible	SDC
Credit area	Development cooperation
Project partners	Contract partner Foreign academic and research organisation International or foreign NGO Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Other partners CIP – International Potato Center/Peru, World Vegetable Center AVDRC, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Institute of Flowers and Vegetables (CAAS), VNIISSOK – Russian Research Institute of Vegetable Breeding and Seed Production
Coordination with other projects and actors	FAO, World Vision, Mercy Corp, ADRA, CODEP, SAM and GG.
Budget	Current phase Swiss budget CHF    2’800’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    2’773’560
Project phases	Phase 3 01.01.2012 - 31.03.2016   (Completed)

Further technical details

• Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation	AGRICULTURE OTHER MULTISECTOR
  Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation	Agricultural development Rural development
  Cross-cutting topics	The project takes account of gender equality as a cross-cutting theme. The project also supports partner organisation improvements
  Type of support	Official development assistance (ODA)
  Type of collaboration	Bilateral cooperation
  Finance type	Aid grant
  Aid Type	Project and programme contribution
  Tied/untied aid	Untied aid
  Project number	7F03747