National Consultative Forum “Mongol Camel – Sustainable Development”

In celebration of the International Year of Camelids, Dairy Asia (one of the nine Action Networks of the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock), the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia, FAO, Mongol Bactrian Association, Mongolian Camel Racing Association, Mongolian Camel Culture Center, Mongolian Camel Polo, Sport Races and Travel Association and Mongolian Wool and Cashmere Association jointly organized the National Consultative Forum on “Mongol Camel – Sustainable Development” at the Government Palace, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

About 100 representatives attended the national forum, including camel herders from the provinces of Umnugobi, Dornogobi, Dundgobi, Gobi-Altai, Bayankhongor, Uvurkhangai, Khovd, and Uvs, camel milk producers, wool processors, researchers, experts, local authorities, industrial associations, and decision-makers.

In the opening, Mr. T.Jambaltseren, State Secretary, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia, and Her Excellency Ms. Ina Marčiulionytė, Ambassador/ Head of Delegation of the European Union to Mongolia, and Dr. Vinod Ahuja, FAO Representative ad interim, PRC, Mongolia, and DPRK, delivered opening remarks.

Moderated by Mr. Batbaatar Bayarmagnai, CEO & coordinator of the Dairy Asia secretariat, the national consultative forum featured the following presentations:

• “Government Policies and activities in the Camel sector” – Dr. Ts. Munkhnasan, senior officer and expert, Policy Planning Department, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia;
• “Project results for enhancing the Camel-Milk Value Chain being implemented by FAO with EU funding” – Ms. Nyamjargal G, Assistant FAO Representative in Mongolia;
• “Global Overview of Camel Sector – Mongolia’s Opportunities and Goals” – Mr. Batbaatar B, Coordinator & CEO, Dairy Asia Secretariat;
• “Health benefits of camel-milk: Latest developments and sector outlook” – Dr. Ch. Javzandulam, Executive Director, Mongol Bactrian Association;
• “Introducing Camel Dairy Products to the EU Market” – Mr. Carl E Crug, Key expert (Private sector development) ITDM;
• “Camel-wool industry: Challenges and outlook” – Ms. N.Nomin, manager, Mongolian Wool and Cashmere Association;
• “Camel culture development in Mongolia” – Ms. D.Erdenetuya, head, Mongolian Camel Culture Center;
• “Camel racing and its significance and tourism” – Mr. N.Ariunsanaa, Secretary General, Mongolian Camel Culture and Racing Association;
• “Camel sector: camel polo and other significance” – Mr. Ts.Oyunbaatar, President, Mongolian Camel Polo, Sports Racing and Travel Association.
  

During the consultative forum, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry of Mongolia, Dairy Asia, and the Mongolian Camel Milk Cluster NGO signed a tripartite MoU to promote and sustainably develop the country's domestic camel milk sector.

All participants emphasized that Mongolia is a home country for Bactrian camels and focused on the current situation of the camel sector in Mongolia and its main challenges, best experiences, good practices, government policies, local authorities’ and private sector initiatives, opportunities to increase the camel herders’ income and improve their livelihoods, training for young herders, further developments in of camel tourism based on camel culture, racing, polo, traditional knowledge, significant needs to protect the Gobi’s ecosystem, the need to fight land degradation, the nutritional value of camel milk and its importance for public health, possibilities to increase camel milk production and processing for the School Lunch Program in rural provinces and enhance the incentives for baby camel wool and camel milk production, etc.

In conclusion, all participants at the national forum agreed and recommended implementing 16 key further activities for the sustainable development of the Mongolian camel sector, including Dairy Asia’s initiative to establish the World Bactrian Camel Association in Mongolia.