Establishment of Protected Livestock Enterprises
As part of the Livestock and Rangeland Management component, livestock and agribusiness specialist Mr. M. Galbadrakh conducted a field visit to veterinary laboratories in Bayan-Ulgii, Uvs, and Khovd aimags. He met with relevant specialists, assessed the current situation, and discussed ongoing challenges. Following consultations, it was agreed that the project would support the provision of laboratory equipment, training and retraining of laboratory staff, and strengthening overall laboratory capacity.
In addition, the project organized outreach and training activities for more than 150 participants, including staff from the Veterinary and Agricultural Departments, soum veterinary units, and local herders. These sessions were held in the following 16 soums: Darvi, Bulgan, Duut, Erdeneburen, and Khovd of Khovd aimag; Tolbo, Deluun, Buyant, Altai, Bulgan, and Ulgii of Bayan-Ulgii aimag; and Khovd, Umnugovi, Tarialan, Sagil, Tarialan (repeated), and Ulaangom of Uvs aimag.
During the mission, the team reviewed the operations of the Integrated Veterinary Information System (IVIS) and the National Livestock Identification and Traceability System (MAKHIS), discussed their strengths and limitations, and identified opportunities for improvement. Formal requests for system upgrades and development will be submitted to the ASDIP project.
Over 30 meetings were held with veterinary and breeding officers in the three aimags and 13 soums to discuss strategies for improving livestock productivity. Topics included developing breeding strategy plans, culling unfit breeding males, selecting and concentrating qualified breeding sires, and introducing elite breeding animals that meet national standards. The project expressed its willingness to provide tangible support in these areas.
Regarding the establishment of Protected Livestock Enterprises (Agro-parks) in the centers of Uvs, Khovd, Bayan-Ulgii aimags, and in Deluun soum of Bayan-Ulgii and Umnugovi soum of Uvs, it was found that the initially allocated land was located near oil depots, waste disposal sites, or densely populated ger areas. As a result, the aimag Land Administration Offices, Agricultural Departments, and Veterinary Authorities conducted joint site visits and decided to relocate the agro-parks to cleaner, healthier locations close to forage sources and away from human and animal traffic. These proposals will be submitted to the Citizens’ Representatives Khural for final decision.
The “Aimags and Soums Green Regional Development Investment Program” highlighted the need to build the capacity of veterinary professionals and establish a training system for community-based animal health workers, including veterinary and breeding technicians. It was emphasized that collaboration with the Western Regional Development Center—Khovd Development College—would provide an effective opportunity to train and specialize human resources from the three western aimags.
