Ulaanbaatar
Minister of Education and Science works at Plant Protection Research Institute
Society
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. On March 15, Minister of Education and Science L.Enkh-Amgalan became acquainted with the operations of the Plant Protection Research Institute. 1,470 entities in the farming sector, about 35,000 farmer households, and the Agriculture Departments of all aimags work in cooperation with the research institute. The institute has a crucial role during this period in which 50-60 percent of vegetables, and 98 percent of fruits are imported from abroad.
During the Minister’s visit, the research institute staff informed the minister about the pressing issues currently being faced by the institute, which includes establishing its own dedicated facility, increasing the travel expenses required for conducting research as well as the necessity to increase the number of researchers at the institute.
Research on seed potatoes has been conducted and properly implemented. The country currently provides for 130 percent of the current market demand. A certain type of potato was also developed by the researchers so that it does not carry five types of viruses that cause potato diseases.
Furthermore, as currently there are no plant specialists at veterinary departments in aimags, it is important to prepare specialists through policy in order to properly carry out works against pests and protect pastureland, highlighted the scholars.
