Gov’t-led efforts improve livestock sector; alleviate suffering of herders during winter

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – In its efforts to improve and develop the livestock sector, Mongolia’s Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry organizes on a yearly basis winter and spring preparations for livestock.

It takes measures to organize the wintering and springing of more than 67.7 million head of livestock, which is meant to protect them from the cold and harsh weather conditions.

More than 16.7 million livestock were put into economic circulation in the fall of 2021.

This was made possible due to the favorable weather conditions the animals live in now and the ready-made fodder nationwide, according to D. Batmunkh, who heads the Industry’s Animal Husbandry Policy Implementation Coordination Department in the ministry.

Batmunkh said that they gave the government estimation of a total of 67.7 million heads of livestock to be organized for the winter and spring. “So, in the fall of 2021, we will organize the work to reintroduce livestock into the economy,” he added.

A farmer said that previous winters were rough on both herds and herders. Winters now, however, are easier due to the new measures, as the animals now are calving and in much better conditions.

“First and foremost, it has been determined that livestock losses will be reduced as a result of the relatively well-fed livestock. Second, there is a plentiful supply of fodder in the country,” he added.