Successful Implementation of Vegetable Production and Irrigated Agriculture Project in Mongolian Regions

Strategic Insights -

The Vegetable Production and Irrigated Agriculture Project, funded by the Asian Development Bank and the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, has been successfully implemented in the Gobi region and Altai soum of Khovd aimag. The project, launched in 2020, aims to improve the agricultural sector in 19 soums across 11 aimags in Mongolia. The project has made significant progress in the Altai soum, where 2 to 4 varieties of fine vegetables have been successfully cultivated and harvested in abundance, despite severe weather conditions. The project has also developed key infrastructure, including headworks, main canals, flood protection dams, reservoirs, and pumping station buildings.

Key Takeaways:

  • The project has successfully cultivated and harvested 2 to 4 varieties of fine vegetables, including corn, peas, watermelon, melon, garlic, pepper, pumpkin, and earth apple, in the experimental field of the Boomin Am irrigation system in Altai soum.
  • 'Agro Alpha,' an agricultural consulting firm, provided expert guidance to a group of vegetable farmers in the soum, enabling them to cultivate various crops successfully despite severe weather conditions.
  • Across a total area of 300 hectares, key infrastructure has been developed, including headworks, main canals, 3.7 kilometers of flood protection dams, reservoirs, and pumping station buildings.
  • Five sprinkler irrigation machines have been installed as part of the project.
  • The team has also contributed to environmental and community improvements by planting 5,000 trees, constructing sidewalks, and installing waste bins.
  • The project has renovated and rehabilitated 12 irrigation systems, enabling the cultivation of over 7,000 hectares of irrigated vegetables, fruits, grains, and fodder crops.
  • Over 3,500 households have benefited from methodological training and advisory services in vegetable farming, according to the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry.
  • The project is being implemented across 19 soums in 11 aimags, including Khovd, Gobi-Altai, Zavkhan, Bayan-Ulgii, Selenge, Tuv, Khentii, Darkhan-Uul, Uvs, and Dornod.
  • The project is funded by the Asian Development Bank and the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction and is scheduled to run from 2020 to 2026.

Statistics:

  • 300 hectares of land have been allocated for the project in Altai soum.
  • 2 to 4 varieties of fine vegetables have been successfully cultivated and harvested.
  • 12 irrigation systems have been renovated and rehabilitated, enabling the cultivation of over 7,000 hectares of irrigated crops.
  • 5,000 trees have been planted as part of the project's environmental and community improvement initiatives.
  • 3.7 kilometers of flood protection dams have been constructed.
  • 5 sprinkler irrigation machines have been installed.
  • Over 3,500 households have benefited from methodological training and advisory services in vegetable farming.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB)
  • Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction