Government of Mongolia, with support from the World Bank, kicked off the Livestock Commercialization project to improve the health and productivity of livestock and increase value of products by commercializing targeted value chains. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations will provide technical support towards building human, technical and institutional capacity in support of strengthening animal health systems in the country.

In presence of Mr. Andrei Mikhnev, World Bank’s Country Manager for Mongolia, Mr. Vinod Ahuja, FAO Representative in Mongolia and Ch. Ulaan, the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry signed a sub-agreement today that aims to strengthen animal health and food safety systems in Mongolia. As part of this agreement, FAO will work closely with the project implementation unit to strengthen Mongolian national veterinary services in line with international standards and improve the quality and safety of animal products along the value chain through improved management of animal health.

Mr. Ulaan.Ch, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry expressed his appreciation by highlighting that “This will be a significant project that will contribute to the long-term vision of improving and diversifying economy, with increased export of livestock product opportunities. Longstanding technical support from FAO in the sector has proven to be successful and we are happy to be partnering with FAO and WB in this new endeavour.

 “Mongolian agriculture and livestock sectors have huge potential as a driver for economic diversification and as a key source of broad-based employment. As the economic shocks caused by COVID-19 are likely to increase poverty and threaten the food security, the project’s importance is even more relevant now,“ – said Andrei Mikhnev, World Bank Country Manager for Mongolia.

 “This is truly an ambitious project and we are pleased to be partnering with the Government of Mongolia and the World Bank. I thank the Government and the World Bank for their trust. As a global knowledge organization and a technical leader in the field of animal health, we are committed to bring the best expertise and practices to Mongolia”, said Mr. Vinod Ahuja, FAO Representative in Mongolia

Livestock is a true lifeline for the people of Mongolia contributing to some 80 percent of the total agricultural production, almost 13 percent of the GDP and representing an invaluable cultural heritage. Yet, the livestock sector also faces the sustainability challenge due to climate change, livestock overstocking and depleting natural resources that threaten this lifeline.

FAO’s support will focus on strengthening capacity of the institutions involved in the delivery of animal health services, including related policy and legislation, upgrading veterinary and food safety laboratories to enable animal health related diagnostic services and accreditation and promote digital innovations in support animal health and traceability together with an integrated animal health information system. All these activities will also strengthen the resilience of Mongolia’s livestock system against adverse climate change events and ultimately help preserve Mongolia’s livestock as lifeline for future generations.