Ulaanbaatar
Domestic seed production to be supported
Politics
PM’s working trip to Darkhan-Uul aimag
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Prime Minister of Mongolia U.Khurelsukh, leader of the Mongolian Farmers Association, MP J.Enkhbayar and Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry B.Batzorig worked in Darkhan-Uul aimag.
During his visit to Darkhan and Selenge, the main agricultural region of Mongolia, PM U.Khurelsukh primarily got acquainted with factory and farm field of the ‘Darkhan Elite’ startup company at the Institute of Plant and Agricultural Sciences. It was noticeable that the field of the only plant and agricultural research institute in Mongolia, lacks of constructions and facilities. However, the institute authorities noted that the harvesting increased thanks to technical renovation by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry. Minister B.Batzorig said “Good harvest starts with good seeds, so we are restoring the seeds. This year we need 60 thousand tons of seeds and ten percent of it have been purchased from Russia. The policy is to produce domestic seeds and provide with good seeds.”
Later, director of the Institute of Plant and Agricultural Sciences at the Mongolian University of Life Sciences (MULS) N.Bayarsukh briefly introduced the activities of the institute. He said “The institute conducts researches in all fields of agricultural science. The five major laboratories are working not only to conduct researches, but also to serve the people, research the area and seed samples, produce new elite seeds and supply farmers. Varieties suitable for Mongolia’s agro-ecological conditions are tested and best varieties are introduced from abroad. About 40 percent of elite seeds and healthy micro-bulbs are produced. The institute reservoir of plant genetic resources stores reserves from 1960. Some 72 of 104 employees are researchers.”
One of the most important issues addressed during the visit was establishment of the crop farming zone. It was estimated that there is 1,1 million ha of sowing area in Mongolia. However, due to droughts, it is estimated that 1.050.000 ha will be sown and 700,000 ha is circulated. Some 80 percent of the total crop farming zone is cultivated with wheat, 15 with rape and the rest with potatoes, vegetables, fruits and berries. The remaining 300,000 hectares are barren and unplantable.
Moreover, about 60 percent of the farmland lost its useful elements, the soil is degraded and the soil structure has become very poor. Thus, it is necessary to fertilize the soil, introduce the soil protection technologies and most importantly to fence the planting area. However, the fence leads to misunderstanding with nomadic herders. Therefore, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry is preparing the consideration of clarifying the crop farming zone at the Cabinet meeting. Once the crop farming zone is set up, livestock can be in it, but it will require the intensive livestock farming.
The number of livestock in Selenge aimag has tripled. There are 310 thousand heads of livestock and 2500 herder households in Darkhan-Uul aimag. In this situation, local authorities said that it’s necessary to make arrangements to develop and protect the agriculture sector.
The Prime Minister obliged the industry Minister to review the agricultural sector policy and to establish the branches of MULS at the agricultural region.
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Prime Minister of Mongolia U.Khurelsukh, leader of the Mongolian Farmers Association, MP J.Enkhbayar and Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry B.Batzorig worked in Darkhan-Uul aimag.
During his visit to Darkhan and Selenge, the main agricultural region of Mongolia, PM U.Khurelsukh primarily got acquainted with factory and farm field of the ‘Darkhan Elite’ startup company at the Institute of Plant and Agricultural Sciences. It was noticeable that the field of the only plant and agricultural research institute in Mongolia, lacks of constructions and facilities. However, the institute authorities noted that the harvesting increased thanks to technical renovation by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry. Minister B.Batzorig said “Good harvest starts with good seeds, so we are restoring the seeds. This year we need 60 thousand tons of seeds and ten percent of it have been purchased from Russia. The policy is to produce domestic seeds and provide with good seeds.”
Later, director of the Institute of Plant and Agricultural Sciences at the Mongolian University of Life Sciences (MULS) N.Bayarsukh briefly introduced the activities of the institute. He said “The institute conducts researches in all fields of agricultural science. The five major laboratories are working not only to conduct researches, but also to serve the people, research the area and seed samples, produce new elite seeds and supply farmers. Varieties suitable for Mongolia’s agro-ecological conditions are tested and best varieties are introduced from abroad. About 40 percent of elite seeds and healthy micro-bulbs are produced. The institute reservoir of plant genetic resources stores reserves from 1960. Some 72 of 104 employees are researchers.”
One of the most important issues addressed during the visit was establishment of the crop farming zone. It was estimated that there is 1,1 million ha of sowing area in Mongolia. However, due to droughts, it is estimated that 1.050.000 ha will be sown and 700,000 ha is circulated. Some 80 percent of the total crop farming zone is cultivated with wheat, 15 with rape and the rest with potatoes, vegetables, fruits and berries. The remaining 300,000 hectares are barren and unplantable.
Moreover, about 60 percent of the farmland lost its useful elements, the soil is degraded and the soil structure has become very poor. Thus, it is necessary to fertilize the soil, introduce the soil protection technologies and most importantly to fence the planting area. However, the fence leads to misunderstanding with nomadic herders. Therefore, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry is preparing the consideration of clarifying the crop farming zone at the Cabinet meeting. Once the crop farming zone is set up, livestock can be in it, but it will require the intensive livestock farming.
The number of livestock in Selenge aimag has tripled. There are 310 thousand heads of livestock and 2500 herder households in Darkhan-Uul aimag. In this situation, local authorities said that it’s necessary to make arrangements to develop and protect the agriculture sector.
The Prime Minister obliged the industry Minister to review the agricultural sector policy and to establish the branches of MULS at the agricultural region.
B.Misheel
