FINAL REPORT

children at school age. 88.5% (46) of the households had 1-5 unemployed members, living
mainly from agriculture. Apart from crop farmers and agropastoralists, the survey covered
two herder’s households and 11 government officials and workers. Fig. 74 shows the structure
of surveyed households by nationalities and ethnic groups: The majority belonged to Khalkh
and Kazak and the remaining to Uzbek (Chantuu), Tuva, Myangad, and other ethnic groups.
Agropastoralists who possess large livestock herds migrate seasonally according to the
following patterns:
Winter: In the areas of Buyant River, Burgastain River, Zamiya River, Zegestei, Shar
Caragana, Tsagaan River, Nariin River, Shalbaagiin khaya.
Spring:Mainly remain in the wintering areas or nearby.
Summer: In the areas of Ulaan bogoch and at Bugat uzuur (restricted in recent years due to
cattle disease).
Autumn: Remain in summer areas or move toward wintering areas. Some households with
large herds settle for about a month in the Buyant RiverDelta and along Khovd River for hay
harvest.
Crop farming households who cultivate fields close to the sum center live at the centerand do
not settle permanently at the fields -instead only few family members stay at the farmland or
come in the morning and return in the afternoon. 28 Due to the mosquito plague in summer, the
sum center itself is being moved to Durviin gazar, north of the aimag center, where gers are
set up. Even the administration and the hospital participate in the seasonal movement.
Crop farmers can be divided in following three groups:
1. Households with several generations lasting farming experience in cultivation agriculture
2. Households farming since 1990 who started their activities due to struggling with poverty
during transition
3. Government officials and workers including the governor himself, the deputy governor,
environmental and agriculture inspectors, firemen, guards and so on, together with their
family members cultivating crops to meet household needs and additionally to sell at the
market.
28 Some households have built small shelters at their farmland where household members stay from spring to fall.
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