Development of Agribusiness Enterprises - Asian Productivity ...

total livestock in Mongolia is local indigenous species; camels, horses, cattle, sheep and
goats. The extensive livestock sector serves as an important living source for rural people
and it supplies animal produce to settlements and much raw materials to local industry.
Traditional livestock production has played a crucial role in the economy, both directly
and indirectly employing approximately 43 percent of the population. Almost 73 percent of
gross agricultural output comes from pastoral livestock production. Livestock reached 33.6
million head in 1999.
The main part of agricultural production comes from pasture cattle breeding, which is
very much a seasonal occupation. Because of the breeding period of animals, winter and the
beginning of spring are times of very hard work for cattle breeders. From spring until autumn
the cattle graze in wide pasture areas in the order to fatten up for the cold winter. Major
products harvested in spring include goat cashmere and hair, male camel hair, horse and
cattle hair, followed in summer by milk, sheep wool, fall wool and camel body hair. The
most preferred food among Mongolian people in summer is milk and other milk products,
while they tend to consume more meat in the cold season. Meat is available in all seasons,
provided animals are well-fattened. Moreover, cattle breeders collect food, specially milk
products, for the winter. The overwhelming proportion of energy and vitamins are provided
by dairy products. The most exportable livestock products are now goat cashmere, sheep
wool, hides and skins and meat.
The main difficulties faced in cattle breeding are heavy snow in winter, very strong
winds in spring and aridity in summer. In addition, there are other difficulties which have
been brought about by the poor infrastructure in the rural areas and the shortage of petroleum.
One of the significant changes in the lifestyle of the Mongolian people is increased
urbanization. Urban dwellers now account for 50 percent of the population in Mongolia, of
whom about 30 percent live in the capital, Ulaanbaatar.
Crop Sector
In 1999, crop sector output consisted of 169,400 mt of wheat, 63,800 mt of potatoes,
and 39,000 mt of vegetables, among others. Although the country covers a vast land area,
agricultural production is limited because of adverse natural climate, conditions and soil
structure. In order to cope with such conditions and achieve good harvests, the latest
technology is needed. Since the variety of plants in Mongolia is relatively limited, it is
necessary to change plantings from field to field.
In Mongolia, where soil moisture content is low, and the planting season is short, it is
important to begin planting at the proper time. This varies from year to year. In general,
however, it is done between 10 and 20 May, or else the harvest cannot be carried out before
the temperature drops to freezing in autumn. Vegetable cultivation is divided into two types,
consisting of open field cultivation and greenhouse cultivation. The main vegetables grown
by open cultivation are cabbages, carrots, onions, leeks and garlic. Other vegetables such as
cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons and melons are cultivated in greenhouses with heating.
In open cultivation, planting or sowing are practiced from the beginning of May to the
beginning of June when the risk of frost damage is lower. In protected cultivation, sowing
and nursing start at the end of March. The cultivation of potatoes and vegetables is mainly
concentrated in the areas surrounding the cities where there is enough soil moisture and
relatively good soil.
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