The annual report summarizes the performance of the VEGI Project from April to December 2016. Key highlights include: - Two new hybrid varieties of greenhouse cucumbers and tomatoes were approved. - Vegetable planting area and production in target regions increased by 31% and 36% respectively. - Four farmers' sales cooperatives were established to market vegetables. - The number of households engaged in urban vegetable production rose 23% to 2,847.

1. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC
Quality Assurance
Annual Report of the VEGI Project
2016
PROJECT NAME Inclusive and Sustainable Vegetable Production and Marketing
Project (VEGI)
PROJECT NUMBER 7F-09387.01.01
REPORTING PERIOD 15 April, 2016 – 31 December, 2016
REPORTED BY T. Turmandakh and the Project Implementation Unit team
DISTRIBUTED TO Baigalmaa Gongor, National Program Officer, SDC
Daniel Valenghi, Head of Programme, agriculture, food security,
education, artisanal mining and gender, SDC

2. PROJECT SUMMARY
Funding organisation Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation
Agriculture and Food Security domain
Phase duration April 2016 – December 2019
Target groups Small-scale vegetable farmers and vegetable seed producers
Households in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan and Erdenet
Implementing organization Mongolian Association for Rural Development NGO
Implementing Partners Mongolian Women Farmers’ Association NGO – Outcome 3
Food and Agriculture Organization – Outcome 4
National Partners Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry
Ulaanbaatar city authorities
Local governments
Institute of Plant and Agricultural Sciences
Institute of Plant Protection
International NGOs
Urban Governance Project (SDC)
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Project
EU/FAO Support Employment in Mongolia
Business entities (wholesale markets)
Objective The project will contribute to the improved livelihoods of vegetable
growers through the inclusive, gender-balanced and sustainable
growth of the vegetable sector
Outcomes Outcome 1: Domestic vegetables production of farmers is increased
Outcome 2: Income increased through improved marketing
Outcome 3: Production and consumption of vegetables in ger
districts
Outcome 4: The policy/legal and institutional frameworks of the
vegetable sector are improved
Target areas Tuv aimag: ​Bornuur, Jargalant, Batsumber and Bayanchandmani
soums;
Selenge aimag: ​Mandal, Shaamar, Khushaat, Zuunburen, Sant and
Bayagol soums;
Uvs aimag: ​Ulaangom soum;
Darkhan-Uul aimag: ​Orkhon soum;
Orkhon aimag: ​Jargalant soum
Ulaanbaaar: ​Khan-Uul, Songino-Khairkhan and Nalaikh districts of
four khoroos
12 soums in other aimags
2

3. Contents
1. BASIC INFORMATION 5
2. PROJECT OUTCOMES 6
3. OUTPUTS AND PERFORMANCE 7
1.1. Output: Qualified seeds are available locally 7
1.2. Output: Vegetable production is increased 9
1.3. Output: Knowledge is shared among farmers 10
2.1 Output: Collective action for marketing (farmers’ groups/cooperatives) is enhanced 12
2.2 Output: Marketing channels are well managed 14
2.3 Output: Market stakeholders have access to market information 15
2.4 Output: Vegetable processing initiatives are supported 15
3.1 Output: Vegetable production by vulnerable and resource poor households in urban
and peri-urban areas is promoted 17
3.2 Output: Consumption of vegetables in urban and peri-urban areas is encouraged 19
3.3 Output: Resource poor and vulnerable households have access to knowledge and
training 19
4. SUMMARY OF FIGURES 21
5. COORDINATION WITH OTHER PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS 21
6. LESSONS LEARNT 22
7. GENDER MAINSTREAMING 22
8. MONITORING AND EVALUATION 23
9. FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT 23
10. ANNEX 25
3

4. LIST OF ABBREVATIONS
ELISA Double Antibody Sandwich ​Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
ESD Education for Sustainable Development
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development
IPAS Institute of Plant and Agricultural Sciences
MFARD Mongolian Farmers’ Association for Rural Development
MMCG Mongolian Marketing Consulting Group
MNT Mongolian tugrug
MoFALI Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry
MOGFA Mongolian Organic Green Food Association
MPP Mongolian Potato Programme
MULS Mongolian State University of Life Science
MUST Mongolian University of Science and Technology
MWFA Mongolian Women Farmers’ Association
PIU Project Implementation Unit
SDC Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation
SECiM Support Employment in Mongolia
SVTC State Variety Testing Commission
UB Ulaanbaatar
VEGI Inclusive and Sustainable Vegetable Production and Marketing
Project
4

5. 1. BASIC INFORMATION
Mongolia’s economy is highly dependent on a few major mining investments and as a
consequence is poorly diversified. Although it has made considerable steps towards poverty
reduction, the percentage of poor households remains high, particularly in rural areas (26.4%).
Ten of thousands of households migrate annually from rural to urban areas in search of better
livelihood opportunities. With more than 63’000 households cultivating vegetables on mostly
small-scale farms and in backyards , the vegetable sector is crucial for both poverty alleviation
1
and securing healthy food for an increasingly urbanised population. According to a Swiss
Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) survey in selected soums, more than 40 % of
the vegetable farms are small scale (less than 1 ha) and the income of households is below the
government poverty line (upgraded in April 2016). Although vegetable consumption in Mongolia
2
has steadily increased in recent decades , the vegetable intake needed for a balanced diet is
3
still insufficient . Vegetables have traditionally never been the main dietary component for
4
Mongolians. The unavailability of healthy vegetables and the lack of knowledge on how to
prepare vegetable dishes are additional challenges for the development of a strong demand.
Following the shift from a centralised economy to a market-oriented economy, Mongolia’s crop
sector regressed. The vegetable sector is not yet self-sufficient, and because of the
agro-climatic conditions and short summers, reaching self-sufficiency throughout the sector is a
challenge. However, there is untapped potential to increase and diversify vegetable production.
The following challenges are affecting the sector: Old varieties are widespread; there is
insufficient local seed production; poor technical advice and support; a lack of adapted
equipment; poor collaboration among farmers; insufficient storage and processing facilities; a
lack of market information; an absence of linkages between farmers’ organisations and the
private sector; and little marketing know-how and poor economic approaches, based on an SDC
cost-benefit analysis ​(source: Project Document of VEGI).
As one outcome of the exit phase of the Mongolian Potato Programme (MPP) addressed the
vegetable sector, there was an opportunity to continue support in this sector. Based on the
successful implementation of the MPP, SDC mandated the “Inclusive and Sustainable
Vegetable Production and Marketing (VEGI) Project” with a total budget of MNT 8.8 billion to the
Mongolian Farmers’ Association for Rural Development (MFARD) NGO as the main
implementing organisation. The MFARD entered into a sub-contact with the Mongolian Women
Farmers’ Association (MWFA) to implement Outcome 3 of the project. SDC mandated Outcome
4, policy, to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
According to the statistics provided by Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MoFALI),
the vegetable planting area increased 18% from 2015 to 2016, from 6’803 ha to 8’342 ha. The
average vegetable yield increased from 10.7 tonnes in 2015 to 11.2 tonnes in 2016. Vegetable
production increased from 72’741 tonnes in 2015 to 93’529 tonnes in 2016, with domestic
vegetable production providing 52% of total demand in 2016, up from 35% in 2015.
Under Government Resolution #185, the custom tax on imported vegetables rose from 5-10%
depending on the variety of vegetable to 20% in order to support local vegetable producers.
The first half of 2016 saw favourable weather conditions in most crop areas. However, drought
in June and July and rain during the harvest period in central crop areas led to harvest losses in
some areas. Hail at the end of July in Ulaangom, Uvs aimag, led to a 30% loss of turnip seeds
(project data).
1
​According to MoFALI (2013), the breakdown is as follow: 1) 43’240 households (68.6 %) on areas < 0.1 ha; 2), 18’440 (29.3 %)
small farms on 0.1-3 ha; 3), 1’250 (2 %) medium-size farms on 3-30 ha, and 4) 60 large farms (0.1 %) on +30 ha.
2
​The government’s poverty line for 2014 was MNT 146’650 MNT; for 2017 it is MNT 240’400 per person per month.
3
​According to MoFALI, the per capita annual consumption increased from 48kg in 2010 to 58kg in 2013.
4
​According to the National Research Centre, vegetable intake in urban areas is only 89g per capita per day; the minimum should
be 200g
5

6. According to a 2016 vegetable marketing study, more than 56 % of imported vegetables
included cabbages, onions and carrots. More than 85% of imported potatoes and vegetables
came from China.
According to a poverty assessment in the project target area, Ulaanbaatar, 3% of households
(14’198 households) grow vegetables in their backyard, and the average household income is
MNT 750’000.
The VEGI Project, launched in April 2016, will run for a four years with a total budget of CHF 5
million. The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) is set up and is being undertaken by the MFARD
with with full-time staff. The total 2016 budget is MNT 2.4 billion.
The June 2016 general elections in Mongolia resulted in staff changes in key ministries and
subsequent delays in project activities. For example, a project steering committee was not
formed until November 2016; however, in general the transition was smooth.
2. PROJECT OUTCOMES
Outcome 1: Domestic vegetables production of farmers is increased
Indicators:
1. Number of officially approved new varieties: B: 2 new varieties (2016); T: 8 new varieties
(2019)
2. Vegetable area in target region (ha) B: 3’929 ha (2016); T: >20% (2019)
3. Production of vegetables in target region B: 40’009 tonnes (2016); T:>20%(2019)
The State Variety Testing Commission (SVTC) approved 2 new varieties of cucumbers and
tomatoes in 2016.
According to statistics provided by 12 target soums, the vegetable planting area increased by
31% from 2015 (from 2’708ha to 3’929ha).
The production of vegetables increased by 36% from 2015 (from 25’591 tonnes to 40’009
tonnes).
Outcome 2: Income increased through improved marketing
Indicators:
1. Average annual income per target household from vegetables (MNT) B: 67.4% of total
household income or MNT 793,095 MNT; T: >20% (2019)
2. Share of vegetables marketed through farmers’ cooperatives (%): B: 0.06% (2016); T:
>30% (2019)
3. Number of functioning contracts between cooperatives and the private sector: B: 0
(2016); T: 15 (2019)
According to a baseline study, the average annual income per target household from vegetable
production is 54%. Vegetable market research conducted by the Mongolian Marketing
Consulting Group (MMCG) in November 2016 found that the average monthly income of
vegetable farmers was MNT 1’176’698, and 67.4% of total household income or MNT 793’095
came from the sale of vegetables.
During the “Green Days of Autumn” expo in September 2016, 0.06% or 165 tonnes of
vegetables was marketed through farmer cooperatives. According to vegetable marketing
studies, the volume of the vegetable market is 237’505 tonnes (Situation Analysis in Vegetable
6

7. Value Chains in Mongolia, 2017)
Four farmers’ sales cooperatives with more than 50 members have been established, which has
given them the legal status to enter into contracts with the private sector.
Outcome 3: Production and consumption of vegetables in ger districts
Indicators:
1. Households involved in vegetable production: B: 2’847 (2016); T: 2’400 (2019)
2. Value generated by vegetable production, marketing and consumption in MNT; B: MNT
33.5 million (2016); T: >30 % (2019)
According to the statistics from the Ulaanbaatar’s municipal Agriculture Department, the number
of households engaged in vegetable production rose by 23% from 2015 to 2016, from 2’185 to
2’847 households.
The vegetable marketing study found that income from vegetable sales provided 67% of
producers’ household income.
3. OUTPUTS AND PERFORMANCE
1.1. Output: Qualified seeds are available locally
Vegetable variety testing
In 2016, the SVTC approved two hybrid varieties of greenhouse cucumbers and tomatoes.
This means that in the past five years, for the main vegetable
crops, six have been released, and 15 promising varieties and 12
hybrids have been approved. This has been a big step forward for
vegetable growers as previously there were no tested and
approved varieties. Larger-scale producers could afford to buy
hybrids at their own risk, while small-scale growers bought seed
from unsecure sources at a relatively high price. The new
greenhouse hybrids have been welcomed by farmers, and are
producing good yields, have marketable qualities, and are resistent
to temperature fluctuations in plastic greenhouses.
Vegetable variety testing has been conducted for five years as a
continuation of the MPP exit phase. This year, more than 71
varieties of 18 vegetable species are being tested. This time more
emphasis has been placed on testing cucumber and tomato
hybrids on request from the Association of Greenhouse Producers.
These varieties are being tested at five sites representing different agro-ecological regions,
including the Institute of Plant and Agricultural Sciences (IPAS) in Darkhan, the Vegetable
Seed-Producing Unit of IPAS in Orkhon soum, the Mongolian State University of Life Science
(MULS) in Ulaanbaatar, and sites in Khovd aimag and some private entities.
Vegetable seed multiplication
In 2016 on request from vegetable growers, Cabbage hybrid seeds on 28ha, vegetables on
6.1ha, greenhouse cucumbers on 14’400m​2​
, and tomatoes on 48’000m​2
were supplied. 25
tonnes of onion sets imported from Netherlands were distributed to vegetable growers in 16
aimags and planted on 50ha. The project also mediated direct seed purchases for large
7

8. producers.
Despite the high seed price, the high-yielding hybrid seeds from the Netherlands and Germany
were welcomed by farmers, who praised their high yields, good appearance, marketability, good
transportability and storage, and resistance to pest damage, which is result of seed-treatment
and hybrid variety’s other specific qualities.
Vegetable seed production is a private business for farmers (in the pre-transition era it was the
domain of state enterprises) in some specific regions where the agro-climatic conditions were
conducive for the production of vegetable seeds. The absence of a seed supply system has
meant that farmers in remote areas lack access to high-quality and high-productivity seeds. The
MFARD, through branches in all aimags, and seed shops are delivering seed at wholesale
prices.
The seeds of 14 recently approved varieties of 11 vegetable species are being multiplied at the
IPAS seed multiplication field. The VEGI Project is supporting seed multiplication by improving
irrigation equipment.
Licensed vegetable seed producers from the MFARD branch in
Uvs aimag supplied about 50-60% of seed demand for the main
vegetable crops in 2015, such as carrots, beetroot and turnips; in
2016 that figure reached 80%.
2015 saw widespread drought in the main agricultural regions of
Mongolia which impacted on yields. This affected total crop
production in Uvs aimag, main vegetable seed production area;
carrot crop losses reached 60-70%. The project supported seed
producers by supplying 11.3 tonnes of carrot mother plants from
the central agricultural region, selected by IPAS researchers,
aimag agronomists and the project team. Given that a 1kg mother
plant produces 200g of seed, more than 2’260 tonnes of carrot
seed was produced from these 11 tonnes of mother plants.
Seed production of newly approved varieties of root crop
vegetables and cabbages has also been carried out in Uvs
aimag; watermelon, melon and tomato seed production in Khovd,
Dornogobi and Bayankhongor aimags respectively. A total of 76.5kg of warm-weather crops
were allocated to the vegetable seed reserve fund for further distribution.
Vegetable seed reserve fund
The vegetable seed reserve fund has allocated 6’964kg of seeds of the main vegetable crops
for the next planting season. Seed producers fulfilled 92.7% of seed multiplication contracts
made with the fund. Some losses in seed multiplication were the result of hail storm in August.
The vegetable seed reserve fund at the MFARD for the 2016 planting season distributed an
estimated 4’500kg of vegetable seeds of 7 vegetable crops to MFARD branches in 17 aimags
and 2 seed retailers. MFARD aimag branches serve as seed retailers and distributors to
small-scale farmers and association members in aimags. A total of 53 seed orders were
received and available seeds were equitably distributed. The vegetable seed fund is working to
supply seeds of the main vegetable crops to farmers in remote areas at wholesale prices. As a
result, vegetable seed quality and origin is monitored on a national level.
The project supported two research activities:
Testing of garlic virus diseases - ELISA tests for 3 common garlic viruses have been imported
from Germany. IPAS carried out testing of garlic samples from western, eastern and central
agricultural regions for the presence of virus and nematode infection. In 192 test samples
8

9. collected from 8 soums in 6 aimags, the virus infection rate was 0-40%, a medium severity of
infestation. The next step will be to ensure multiplication of clean garlic seed material in order to
improve domestic garlic production.
Biological method for controlling the insect-pests - Preliminary studies on the use of predatory
insects to control insect pests in greenhouses and open field has begun in collaboration with
MULS researchers. 2 stains of predatory insects are re-reared (multiplied) and released in
greenhouses and open fields and the results compared with bio-insecticide and mechanical pest
control methods. Released predatory mites actively fed on mites and successfully naturally
reproduced. The most effective was the combination of predatory mites and the plant-derived
insecticide ​Neem oil ​(a yield increase of 28.7%). Planned next year is the development of mass
rearing technology for predatory mites, methods of conservation and transportation, and
technology for their release.
A vegetable seed marketing study was conducted by external vegetable specialists in
November that determined seed production, seed demand and seed imports, assessed the
capacity of vegetable seed producers and the economic feasibility of vegetable seed production
for each vegetable crop, developed recommendations to improve seed production technology,
and analysed all changes that had taken place in the past 4 years. It also analysed the
economic return rate of hybrid seeds introduced and supplied at discount prices by the MPP
and VEGI projects since 2012 and the economic feasibility of further hybrid seed markets, and
financially evaluated the MFARD’s vegetable seed reserve fund, develop basis of financial
sustainable operation and business plan.
Vegetable seed shop
Totally 12 seed shops in 12 soums of 9 aimags serve farmers in remote areas. Hence,
vegetable seed quality and origin is monitored on a national level. A total of 2’213kg of
vegetable seeds valued at MNT 53.2 million has been distributed to these farmers though the
seed shops.
In 2016, vegetable seed shops had been established in 4 soums of 4 aimags to supply seeds of
the main vegetable crops to farmers in remote areas at wholesale prices. The project supported
seed shops with shop counters, scales, shelves and other necessary supplies. Prior to this,
farmers had no option but to buy vegetable seeds of questionable quality at higher prices from
vegetable seed retailers. In addition, all seed shops were located in Ulaanbaatar and sell
expensive seeds in small seed pouches, while farmers prefer to buy loose seeds.
1.2. Output: Vegetable production is increased
According to the National Statistical Office, from 2015 to 2016, cabbage imports from China fell
by 972.2 tonnes, but import costs increased by USD $126’500, which means this year’s
imported cabbages were more expensive than those produced locally.
The establishment of cabbage seedling nursery centres, the introduction of new cabbage
hybrids, and the construction of specialised cabbage storage with a total capacity of 1’000
tonnes in Ulaanbaatar is the basis for the increase in national cabbage production.
According to the seed orders, the hybrid cabbage planting area will reach 155.8 ha in th next
planting season.
In 2016, two additional cabbage seedling nurseries were organized in Murun soum, Khentii
aimag, and Buyant soum, Khovd aimag, in addition
to 7established in the central agricultural region in
2014. The new approach of growing cabbage
seedlings under plastic tunnels in plastic
greenhouses was introduced in traditional
cabbage-growing soums. Along with this new
approach, Bejo cabbage hybrids, new cabbage
9

10. pesticides, and 2 row seedling planters were tested at seedling nursing centres.
In 2016, the VEGI project, the MFARD branch in Mandal soum and the soum government
concluded a joint agreement for the long-term renting of newly constructed 300 tonnes capacity
cabbage storage for farmers of the soum’s MFARD branch. The project and the soum
government provided such equipment as a fork lift and cages for cabbage storage.
Marketing is the most important challenge for cabbage growers. Cabbage seedling growing
starts in mid-March. With nursing, transplanting and irrigation, it is the most labour-intensive
crop; however, when it comes to marketing, the price can drop to MNT100/kg. This forces some
farmers to abandon their cabbage fields to avoid additional financial losses as the price doesn’t
cover the production costs.
12 pcs of 120m​2
and 52 pcs of 32m​2
plastic greenhouses (3’824m​2​
) were distributed to 25
soums in 16 aimags – adding up to a 5% increase in areas under greenhouses in the target
areas. Small-scale hand-driven vegetable planters from Hungary and other tools were also
distributed, as were mineral and organic fertilisers and high-quality pesticides.
Vegetable production is the least mechanized industry compared with wheat and potato
production. Only 40%of vegetable production operations are mechanized. Small-scale
hand-driven equipment are more useful than larger equipment given that most vegetable plots
are small and located in river valleys.
10 small-scale fertiliser dispensers and 12 small-scale pesticide spreaders for 25hp
mini-tractors were imported from Poland. This equipment was supplied to vegetable producers
in Tuv and Selenge aimags and in those aimags where is the shortage of agricultural equipment
such as Bayan-Ulgii, Khovd and Uvs.
Small-scale vegetable growers don’t have the
equipment needed to spread mineral fertiliser, so
they do it manually. Also use a knapsack sprayer
for pesticide application. These small scale
equipment designed for 25HP mini-tractors
enables farmers to avoid coming into contact with
fertilisers and pesticides. All these equipment are
available on a rental basis for all soum vegetable
growers. In Jargalant soum, Tuv aimag, farmers
used the small scale pesticide spreader on
200ha of growing fields.
A 4 row onion set planter was designed by
farmer from Mandal soum, and is capable of
planting 700m​2
per hour and designed for a 25hp
mini-tractor. He has successfully tested it on his
fields. The project visited him several times during the growing season to evaluate its
performance, and after harvesting 3 sets of the planter were ordered and built for 3 extension
centres to serve farmers on rent basis.
1.3. Output: Knowledge is shared among farmers
The first pilot extension centre was established in Orkhon soum, Darkhan-Uul aimag. It has
500m​2
of open fields and a building with a
training room, seed shop and office. It is
estimated that more than 1’000 farmers will
be able to receive farming services at the
centre (Orkhon, Shaamar and Khushaat
soums).
The purpose of pilot extension centre:
10

11. 1. Organise for soum farmers field days, trainings and demonstrations of new vegetable
production technologies, new varieties, and the application of plant protection measures.
2. Host consultants on new vegetable production technologies, new varieties and plant
protection to provide on-site coaching.
3. Demonstration of newly released and promising vegetable varieties.
4. Supply newly released and promising vegetable variety seeds and other inputs for farmers.
5. The rentand servicing with small-scale equipment (such as sprayers, planters, spreaders,
etc).
The land issues to establish pilot extension centres in Mandal soum of Selenge aimag, and
Bornuur soum of Tuv aimag, are being finalised. The local administration is providing land for
the pilot extension centre for free.
Table 1: Trainings and study tours of Outcome 1:
# Training Date & location Number of
participants
(% female)
Output of the training
1 “Greenhouse
vegetable
production” training
2-4 May
11 soums in Tuv,
Selenge, Darkhan-Uul &
Orkhon aimags
166
(52.4% F)
Farmers received theoretical and practical
knowledge on greenhouse production of
cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, sweet
peppers and other crops.
Preferable plant-protection biological
methods and techniques were presented.
Consultants from the Association of
Greenhouse Producers served as resource
persons during the training.
Farmers were very satisfied with the training
and the technology transfer from the
greenhouse consultants.
2 “Greenhouse
vegetable
production” training
1-4 August
11 soums in Khentii,
Dornod & Sukhbaatar
aimags
104
(58.7% F)
3 Greenhouse
training
9-10 June
5 soums of Tuv,
Selenge, Darkhan-Uul
aimags and UB
11
(63.6% F)
Farmers received theoretical and practical
knowledge on the greenhouse production of
different crops.
Training was co-organised by the KOKIA
Project.
4 “Onion and garlic
production
technology”
22-24 August
Uvs, Khovd and Zavkhan
aimags
59
(32.2% F)
Farmers received theoretical and practical
knowledge on the latest technology for
onion and garlic production. Plant protection
measures were also presented.
5 “International
training workshop
on demonstration
and promotion of
new vegetable
varieties and
technologies”
5-25 June
Hefei, PRC
Sponsored by the
Chinese Government
under the Foreign
Assistance Program for
developing countries
3
researchers
from IPAS
(100% F)
Gained new knowledge in vegetable
breeding, gene engineering in horticultural
breeding, the control of pests and diseases
through transgenic and RNAi strategies, key
culture technologies for the production of
new vegetable varieties, development of the
international vegetable seed industry, and
plant variety protection.
6 Study tour to South
Korea
1-6 November
- KIEMSTA 2016 (Korea
International Exhibition of
Machinery, Equipment,
Science and Technology
for Agriculture)
- Garak Market, Garak’s
agricultural market,
- Hongik Bio Llc,
(vegetables and
potatoes)
14
representative
s
(53.9% F)
Learned about greenhouse production,
various modern machineries, materials,
tools and equipment of farming activities
that can be introduced in Mongolia, and
made contact with relevant companies in
Korea. As a result, project staff and MoFALI
officials prepared public an agricultural
market project document and submitted it to
the Development Bank of Mongolia for
financing.
TOTAL 357 people
(51% female)
11

12. The first VEGI publication on greenhouse vegtable production was published and distributed. It
featured production technology with illustrations of the 5 main greenhouse crops, and some
leafy vegetables and plant protection measures.
Table 2: Total direct/indirect farmer beneficiaries and plant area and production in 2016
Aimag/soum Beneficiaries Plant area (ha) Production (ton)
Direct In direct 2015 2016 2015 2016
Tuv aimag
1 Bornuur 51 (51% F) 629 206 212 2’080 2’250
2 Jargalant 89 (22% F) 954 19 123 3 1’285
3 Batsumber 21 (52% F) 126 52 72 107 435
4 Bayanchandmani 32 (28% F) 317 88 139 483 511
Sub total​ 193 (34% F) 2’026 365 546 2’673 4’481
Selenge aimag
5 Mandal 17 (24% F) 1’710 456 430 7’885 6’625
6 Shaamar 33 (48% F) 183 187 248 2’539 3’685
7 Khushaat 62 (55% F) 110 117 161 1’169 1’862
8 Zuunburen 23 (57% F) 220 173 298 1’627 2’641
9 Sant 31 (26% F) 314 171 259 2’297 2’474
10 Bayangol 43 (60% F) 189 117 87 1’390 832
Sub total​ 209 (48% F) 1’016 1’221 1’483 16’907 18’119
Other aimags
11 Ulaangom, Uvs 35 (14% F)
12 Orkhon, Darkhan 18 (61% F) 531 942 1’664 3’801 14’294
13 Jargalant, Orkhon 55 (45% F) 342 181 235 2’210 3’115
​Sub total 108 (38% F) 873 1’123 1’899 6’011 17’409
​TOTAL 510 (41% F) 3’915 2’708 3’929 25’591 40’009
Source: project M&E data 2016 and data from soums agriculture/statistic departments
Total 8 (2 male) consultants and researchers were hired on a short-term basis for Outcome 1.
2.1 Output: Collective action for marketing (farmers’ groups/cooperatives) is enhanced
“With a focus on smallholder vegetable producers, the project must address the marketing issue
as it is a key bottleneck for these farmers. Collective marketing improves the bargaining power
of the suppliers (due to larger volumes), which leads to higher farm gate prices, thus better
returns for vegetable crops.”
EXPOS – Four expos, 80 farmers/cooperatives from seven aimags, MNT 335.5 million in sales.
12

13. The three-day “Greenhouse Vegetable Expo” was organised in Ulaanbaatar by the Association
of Greenhouse Farming in conjunction with the United Nations, Global Communities (a USAID
project), MoFALI, Chingeltei District Office and the VEGI Project. The purpose of the expo was
to increase greenhouse farmers’ sales, to create sales channels and to build loyal customer
bases. Sixteen entities took part and about 5’000 people visited the expo. Total gross sales
were estimated at MNT 100 million.
The seven-day “Autumn Green Days” expo was organised by MoFALI and contributing
organizations. The VEGI Project took part to introduce new vegetable varieties, to advertise
cooperatives and to increase consumers’ knowledge of vegetables. Forty farmers (55 %
female) from seven aimags participated in the expo and made MNT 165 million in sales. As a
part of the expo, the project organised a vegetable event entitled “Green food – healthy life” in
conjunction with Global Communities. The goal of the event was to promote vegetables and to
educate consumers about healthy eating. The project was named best organisation of the expo
and five project beneficiary farmers also received recognition.
The “Farmers Open Fair” was organised by the MFARD in the Songino-Khairkhan district of
Ulaanbaatar from September to November 2016. Twenty-four farmers from six soums sold
vegetables worth of MNT 70.5 million.
The three-day “Korea-Mongolia Agricultural Energy Expo and K-Food Fair 2016” was organised
by MoFALI, ULMS and the Korean Mongolian Business Centre in ULMS. The project took part
in the event and distributed brochures, and Orkhon and Shaamar soum farmers promoted their
products.
Support for Bornuur soum’s onion storage restoration and equipment: The project supported the
restoration and expansion of Bornuur soum’s onion storage to 150-200 tonnes of capacity. The
project also supported the installation of onion storage equipment. As a result, the “Bornuur
Urgats” cooperative now can store onions during the winter and sell them at higher price during
seasonal shortages. The estimated additional income will be MNT 200 million.
Transportation support for Khovd aimag’s watermelons and melons and Umnugobi aimag’s
tomatoes: The project financially supported the transportation of 15 tonnes of watermelons and
melons from Khovd (1’580km) and 1.2 tonnes of tomatoes from Umnugobi (553km) to
Ulaanbaatar during the “Autumn Green Days” expo. Khovd aimag’s farmers were able to sell
their products for double the price in Ulaanbaatar, resulting in an additional income of about
MNT 15 million.
2.2 Output: Marketing channels are well managed
“Market transparency as well as competition among suppliers and buyers are needed to ensure
13

14. well-functioning value chains and fair market conditions. Well-functioning value chains are
characterised by a fair distribution of margins along the chain, including vegetable producers”.
Sales channel and wholesale market
Vegetable wholesale market: After visits to and meetings with the management of four leading
wholesale markets, the Tenger and Selenge markets expressed their willingness to collaborate
with the project to strengthen the vegetable market chain. A collaboration contract is being
finalised.
A “Vegetable Marketing Forum” was organised to build trust and collaboration among market
stakeholders, to facilitate discussions with authorities, to organise farmers’ tours to wholesale
markets and warehouses, and to organise workshops to analyse market bottlenecks and
failures. A total of 161 people from 30 organisations
took part in the forum, including SDC, UNFAO, the
Ulaanbaatar city government, Global Communities,
MWFA, the Greenhouse Association, the Organic
Mongolia National Movement, MMCG LLC, MULS,
Modern Nomads, Delta Holding, Mish Mash LLC,
Nomin, Max Group, MTS Agro, vegetable
wholesalers, the World Bank, IFAD, the Mongolian
Organic Green Food Association NGO, the VEG
NGO, GERES, MUST, and the Mongolian National
Association of Food and Agriculture and Rural
Investment NGO. They discussed issues and built
the foundation upon which to work together in the
future. The project reached 248’313 people through media, helping to raise awareness.
Vegetable marketing research ​was conducted by MMCG LLC, covering vegetable market size,
supply and demand, stakeholder and value chains, sales and distribution channels, and prices.
As a result of this research, the project has a comprehensive understanding of the current
vegetable market situation and is able to develop a marketing strategy and action plan for
upcoming years.
Highlights:
● An average of 132’629 tonnes of vegetables were produced domestically in the past
three years.
● 56’949 tonnes of vegetables were imported, 74% from China. More than 56% of
imported vegetables are cabbages, carrots and onions.
● 46.7 % of farmers accept the need to cooperate to produce and sell their produce.
● The food service sector uses 157’743 tonnes of vegetables per month.
● The average monthly vegetable consumption of households is 31.2 kg. An average
person consumes 260g of vegetables daily, which is 60g lower than the
recommended amount.
Support for the applied research of international and national intern students: The project hosted
an internship student, Lisa Epars from HAFL in Switzerland, whose assignment was to analyse
vegetable production and marketing with a special focus on small-scale farmers. The findings
were relevant and provided solid input for the project, contributing to improvements of the
marketing component. The highlighted result was a vegetable value chain analysis.
14

15. 2.3 Output: Market stakeholders have access to market information
“Market information is crucial to ensure transparency. Value chain stakeholders must have
access to up-to-date information that is provided by an independent provider. The institutional
anchoring of the Market Information System will need to be carefully set up.”
Website and social media
Vegetable website: Vegetable price information is neither transparent nor available to the public.
Information related to production, processing, marketing and the sale of vegetables are as yet
not readily available. To breach these gaps, the project is creating a website that will contain
relevant information and data under the optional ​www.mfard.mn domain. The website will
enable potential buyers and producers to connect and will include information about producers,
vegetable varieties, consumer educational material, cooking videos, vegetable infographics and
health articles.
Social media channels: ​The project is posting all news and consumer education content on
Facebook (MonVEGI) and ​Youtube as social media channels have a significant level of public
outreach. As of early January, the Facebook page had 15’300 followers.
2.4 Output: Vegetable processing initiatives are supported
Vegetable processing unit in Dornod aimag: The “Queen Ant” farmers’ group in Dornod
established a vegetable processing unit in December 2016 and is now producing vegetable
salads, juice, kimchi and fruit salad. On-site coaching, processing and functioning of whole
process of unit has been provided to the farmers of “Queen Ant” farmers’ group. The unit has
produced 3’200 products worth MNT 1.7 million in 1.5 months.
A Veggie Cook Show campaign was jointly organised with MOGFA with the aim of increasing
consumer education on vegetables via a edu-tainment approach. As a part of the campaign, the
project organised cooking training, a Facebook cooking contest and conducted a series of
interviews on Mongol TV’s morning program. The project also prepared a cooking video with
celebrities, and short videos and infographics. The campaign has reached about 1.5 million
people.
− Mongol TV interviews: Five professionals took part in Mongolia’s top-rated morning
television program. There were a total of 10 interviews conducted during the
campaign.
− Veggie Cook Challenge cooking show hosted by celebrities reached 1.2 million
people on Facebook.
− Veggie Cook Challenge Facebook Contest invited people to cook vegetable meals
and share the recipes with others. Twenty-seven entries were received. The contest
advertisement and contents reached 299’583 people on Facebook.
− Creative contents: ​A total of 40 different kinds of vegetable, 17 food infographics
and 10 short videos were produced during the campaign.
− Gogo.mn ​article about the project and the vegetable market situation in Mongolia
reached 12’500 people.
Media
The project collaborated with media during the Vegetable Marketing Forum and Autumn Green
Days expo. The vegetable cooking show also served as a consumer education media
campaign. Eighteen media outlets, including nine TV stations, three newspapers, one website, 2
FM radio stations and two social media channels were used with a total reach of more than 1.5
15

16. million people. As a result, 83 artworks and 18 videos were produced by the project. See the
table below for more information.
Table 3: Media
N Event Date Media
Estimated
reach
Remarks
1
Vegetable
Marketing
Forum
25-Nov
7 outlets 438’313 Project coordinator, officials from
SDC, MoFALI and farmers gave
interviewd to four TV stations
and one newspaper. All the
interviews were posted to the
project’s Facebook and YouTube
channels. As a result of the
interviews, project awareness
has risen.
TV5 100’000
TV8 100’000
NTV 100’000
SBN 100’000
Tomorrow of Agriculture
newspaper
1’000
Facebook 37’313
2
Autumn
Green
Days expo
Sep
14-20
9 outlets 510’000 Expo promotion was advertised
through two FM readio stations,
Daily News and the project’s
Facebook page, reaching
200,000 people. The “Green
food – healthy life” event was
broadcast on four TV stations
and in one newspaper. As a
result, farmers were able to
make sales of MNT 165 million
and project awareness rose.
ETV 100’000
Za TV 50’000
Mass TV 50’000
TV 9 100’000
Mongolian Info newspaper 5’000
Daily Newspaper 5’000
FM 96.9 50’000
FM 104.5 50’000
Facebook 100’000
3
Veggie
cook show
campaign
Nov 2016
- Jan
2017
4 outlets 1’519’179 5 officers from project
participated top rated morning
show. Popular celebrities
attended cook show videos and
shared the campaign as well.
The campaign increased
consumer education about
vegetable and its usage.
Mongol TV 300’000
gogo.mn 12’500
Facebook 1’205’856
Youtube 823
4 Creatives
Jun - Dec,
2016
Total 83
Total of 101 artworks and videos
are produced for various events,
campaigns and vegetable
varieties as well.
Food infographic 17
Sort infographic and posters 8
Drying instruction 1
Vegetable infographic 40
Stand 7
Banner, posters 10
5 Videos
Jun - Dec,
2016
Total 17
Cooking videos 10
Facebook Live Videos 5
Vegetable forum video 1
Project intro 1
GARAK video 1
TOTAL (cumulative) 2’467’592
Training
Nine trainings related to cooperatives, marketing and vegetable processing were conducted in
four months; 431 farmers (62 % female) from 13 aimags participated in the training.
16

17. Table 4: Training conducted Outcome 2
N Training Date & location
Number of
participants
( % female)
Output of the training
1
Cooperative
training
8-18 Aug, 8 soums in
central region
173
(65% f)
Four cooperatives officially established and
the remainder are in the process of being
registered.
2
Cooperative
management and
business planning
training
22-Nov, Ulaanbaatar
25
(32% f)
Cooperative leaders improved their
management skills and learned to develop
business plans.
3 Marketing training 23-Nov, Ulaanbaatar
60
(66 % f)
Farmers learned basic marketing
knowledge, sales and planning skills.
4
Vegetable
processing training
15-Sep, Orkhon soum,
Darkhan-Uul aimag
25
(60% f)
Farmers from Selenge, Darkhan, Orkhon
and Bayan-Ulgii aimags took part in the
training and learned to make 10 kinds of
processed vegetable products.
5
Value-added
production and
vegetable drying
method training
22-Nov, Ulaanbaatar
30
(63% f)
Farmers from 13 aimags learned the
business side of vegetable processing and
drying technology.
6
Value chain
training
23-Nov, Ulaanbaatar
53
(66% f)
During value chain training, farmers were
able to discuss problems and solutions
along the vegetable value chain. Value
chain training was provided by UNFAO
Secim2 project officers.
7 On-site coaching 8-Nov, Dornod
3
(100% f)
The project supported Queen Ant’s
processing unit in Dornod by sending
experts to provide on-site coaching on
technology and production.
8
Farmers’ tour to
wholesale market
and warehouse
facility
24-Nov, Ulaanbaatar
41
(39% f)
Farmers from 13 aimags took part in the
tour and visited E-mart hypermarket,
Modern Nomads restaurant, Tenger and
Selenge markets, and Delta Holding’s
cabbage storage. As a result, farmers learnt
how the market worked and understood
private sector interest in business contracts.
9
Vegetable cooking
class
24-Nov, Ulaanbaatar
21
(100% f)
Female farmers from 13 aimags
participated in the training and learnt about
nutrition, vegetable benefits, processing and
cooking.
TOTAL 19 days
431
(62% f)
A total of three (1 male) trainers were hired on a short-term basis for Outcome 2.
3.1 Output: Vegetable production by vulnerable and resource poor households in urban
and peri-urban areas is promoted
Model farming street
The purpose of a model farming street is to demonstrate backyard farming activity in ger
districts. Backyard farming provides households with increased nutrition and income. With
support from the project, these model farming street households demonstrate the effective use
of “khashaa” space to plant vegetables. A model farming street will be an ideal/model street with
backyard farming that provides advice to neighbourhoods about farming.
The lack of water has been a bottleneck of
17

18. effective backyard farming and livelihoods in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar. Recent project
support for the construction of four borehole wells is helping to address this issue. The well,
which is of prime importance in this neighbourhood, was made available to 61 households in
four khoroos in Songino-Khairkhan, Khan-Uul and Naliakh districts of Ulaanbaatar.
The availability of water in the ger districts provides an opportunity for many households to take
up home farming as an alternative source of household income. Even those who lacked farming
experience are now growing a range of vegetables for their household needs and to sell at
market.
As a result of focused trainings on vegetable growing, consumption and food nutrition,
beneficiaries cultivated 8 ha (2 ha greenhouse) of vegetable fields and harvested 16.3 tonnes of
vegetables with a value of MNT 6.7 million.
The project ensured the water quality in project target areas (a total of 84 points) and results
demonstrated that it was both drinkable and able to be used for farming.
Each beneficiary households made at least a 10% contribution for the construction of the
borehole well.
Model farming household
Like model farming streets, model farming households are an ideal/model household for
backyard farming that provide advice to neighborhoods about farming. Selected households
need to be willing to share, teach and demonstrate backyard farming as an advisory service
point. Six households from three districts were selected as model farming households in 2016.
Success story: “L. Todgerel’s family are jobless.
Living in Nalaikh district, they earned MNT 0.3 million
annually from their backyard farming until they
became one of the beneficiaries of the project. They
received a 4x8m plastic greenhouse that included a
drip irrigation set and 200 seedlings that helped her
to learn growing techniques for strawberries. She is
also learning to grow seedlings. By the end of the
2016 growing season, she managed to grow 300
strawberry seedlings for sale to neighbours valued at
more than MNT 2 million.
She said she also learnt drying techniques for
different varieties of vegetables, so she will be able to sell her own dried vegetables. Drying
vegetables is another way of adding value to vegetables, and she looks forward to selling them
at up to three times the price of raw vegetables from her backyard. She is confident she will
earn another MNT 2 million from the sale of dried vegetables.
Taking part in field trip to the farms of fellow small holders and larger operations gave her hope
that she would be able to take her backyard farming
to new heights. “Learning new technologies for
vegetable drying and growing new plants for
additional income will make this job feasible.
However, nothing can match seeing my children
beam with delight as they nibbled strawberries. That
was real happiness”.
18

19. Farming activities in schools and kindergartens
Awareness-raising activities among senior members of the households were carried out by their
school and kindergarten-aged children. The project organised special trainings and farming
activities for three schoolchildren and three kindergarten children.
Table 5: Summary of investment and support to beneficiaries (MNT)
District Tools and
greenhouse
Seed and
seedlings
Contribution from
households
Total investment
Songino-Khairkhan 38’396’427 2’945’858 3’486’199 44’828’484
Khan-Uul 24’346’280 1’244’036 4’559’996 30’150’312
Nalaikh 40’203’330 2’635’807 8’045’000 50’884’137
102’946’037 6’825’701 16’091’195 125’862’933
3.2 Output: Consumption of vegetables in urban and peri-urban areas is encouraged
Trainings on vegetable processing, food and nutrition, and vegetable marketing were held six
times in districts of Ulaanbaatar, reaching 643 beneficiaries (75% female).
As a result of processing and nutrition training, 126 processed vegetables and 423 packages of
dried vegetables were produced, selling for MNT 386’000 at market. Four households of two
model streets were also able to sell 1.3 tonnes of potatoes for MNT 650’000.
Training organised four times for three schoolchildren and three kindergarden children, with a
total of 472 beneficiaries (70% female). Of the 472 beneficiaries, 28% were pupils from eco
clubs at secondary schools.
3.3 Output: Resource poor and vulnerable households have access to knowledge and
training
Table 6: Trainings
N Training Date & location
Number of
participants (%
female)
Results
1 Planting
21 times in
Ulaanbaatar
888
(76% f) Households in nine districts received
training and planted a total area of 898
ha and harvested 10’600 tonnes of
vegetables, according to the Agriculture
Department of Ulaanbaatar city data in
2016.
As a result of focused trainings on
vegetable growing, consumption and
food nutrition, beneficiaries cultivated 8
ha (2 ha greenhouse) of vegetable fields
and harvested 16.3 tonnes of vegetables
worth MNT 6.7 million.
2
Workshop for
farmers
2 times in May,
Khan-Uul,
Songino-Khairkh
an
384
(60% f)
3
Nursing and plant
protection in open
fields and
greenhouses
9 times in
Ulaanbaatar
474
(63% f)
4
Compost fertiliser
training
1 time in
Ulaanbaatar
90
(60% f)
5
Economic and
marketing training
1 time in
Ulaanbaatar
65
(18 % f)
6
Vegetable
processing training
1 time in
Ulaanbaatar
153
(99% f)
As a result of processing and nutrition
training, 126 processed vegetables and
423 packages of dried vegetables were
produced, selling for MNT 386’000. Four
households of two model streets sold 1.3
tonnes of potatoes for MNT 650’000.
7
Food and nutrition
training
3 times in
Ulaanbaatar
171
(89% f)
8
Domestic study
tour in UB
1 time in
Ulaanbaatar
87
(56% f)
An experience-sharing study tour in
Ulaanbaatar. Participants were
comprised of representatives from donor
19

20. agencies, national NGOs, MoFALI, the
Ulaanbaatar city authority and farming
households. The event was well received
by participants.
9
Stakeholder
meetings
2 times in
Ulaanbaatar
42
(67% f)
Collaboration between stakeholders
(Ulaanbaatar city authority and MoFALI)
improved.
1
0
Eco school study
tour in UB
1 time in
Ulaanbaatar
104
(56% f)
Schools and kindergardens of project
beneficiaries learnt from eco schools
under the Education for Sustainable
Development Project.
1
1
Study tour to
abroad
1 time in
Ulan-Ude,
Russia
28
(90% f)
Experiences on land shafting, tree
gardening and eco gardening were learnt
from Russian farmers.
TOTAL 46 days
2,458
(70 % f)
Four female trainers were hired on a short-term basis for Outcome 3. Three handouts -
“Gardening in the Ger District”, “Household Economy” and “Household-Level Integrated Pest
management” were developed and distributed to beneficiaries (5’000 in total)
Table 7: Total direct/indirect household beneficiaries and plant area and production in 2016
Duureg/khoroo
Direct
beneficiari
es
Plant area (ha)
Production
(tonne)
Songinokhairkhan
1 Model street, 24​th​
khoroo 15 1’416 4’292
2 Model street, 25​th​
khoroo 11 1’138 2’929
3 Model household, 11​th​
khoroo 1 84 69
4
Model household, 22th
khoroo
1 80 69
6 65​th​
secondary school 3’535 540 497
7 117​th​
kindergarden 875 223 307
Sub total​ 4’438 3’481 8’163
Khan-Uul
8 Model street, 10​th​
khoroo 12 853.5 1’497
9 Model household, 16​th​
khoroo 1
10 Model household, 5​th​
khoroo 1
11 34​th​
secondary school 977 382 538.4
12 71​th​
kindergarden 319 247 254.4
Sub total​ 1’310 1’483 2’290
Nalaikh
13 Model street, Uvurshand 8 23 2110 3442
14 Model household, 3​th​
khoroo 1 281 773
15 Model household, 5​th​
khoroo 1 103 255
16 Seedling nursing household 1 386 1’280
17 Golomt secondary school 2’400 412 75
18 123​th​
kindergarden 335
​Sub total 2’761 3’292 5’825
​TOTAL 8’509 8’256 16’278
20

21. 4. SUMMARY OF FIGURES
59​ ​trainings/workshops/study tours/forums over a total of ​77 ​days for
3’550​ participants (66% female) conducted by ​14​ (21% male)
trainers/researchers. ​2​ study abroad tours in Ulan-Ude, Russia, and
South Korea.
4​ ​(6’000 units)​ ​books published and ​8 ​study/assessments carried out.
124​ greenhouses 230​ hand tools distributed.
5. COORDINATION WITH OTHER PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS
Collaborations to link rural labour markets with the European Union-funded Support for
Employment in Mongolia (SECiM) has begun. In collaboration with the SDC-funded Education
for Sustainable Development Project, vegetable promotion activities (production and
consumption) at schools has been implemented. The project is closely collaborating with
Ulaanbaatar city authorities for the selection of neighbourhoods in ger districts.
Exchanges/synergies with international organisations in the promotion of vegetables in the ger
districts, such as WorldVision, ADRA, Caritas and Global Community, have been successfully
undertaken.
Specific synergy activities
The “Greenhouse Vegetable Expo” from June 24–26, 2016 was organised by the Association of
Greenhouse Farming in conjunction with the UN, Global Communities, MoFALI, the Chingeltei
District Office and the VEGI Project in Ulaanbaatar. The purpose of the expo was to increase
greenhouse farmers’ sales, to create sales channels and to build a loyal customer base. A total
of 16 entities took part and about 5’000 people visited the expo. Total gross sales made during
the expo were estimated at about MNT 100 million.
A greenhouse training by KOIKA was held in June in Tuv aimag, attended by 11 beneficiaries of
the VEGI Project.
Ten participants - artisanal miners/SAM project beneficiaries - attended the greenhouse training
organised by the VEGI Project in May in Bornuur and Mandal soums, Tuv aimag.
One eco school from Uvurkhangai aimag, four eco schools from Ulaanbaatar received potato
and vegetable seeds costing MNT 3 million, 70 books/handouts and technical advice.
A joint activity with the ESD and Green Gold projects, Piloting the School, saw a herder
children-based education module for herders on resilient rangeland management organised for
secondary school students in Undurshireet soum, Uvurkhangai aimag, and four schools in
Ulaanbaatar. The project provided 510 handouts, DVDs, potato and vegetable seeds and hand
21

22. tools worth MNT 2.9 million. A joint study tour among eco schools was also held.
Joint trainings on the vegetable value chain were conducted by FAO with the EU-funded SECiM
Project.
6. LESSONS LEARNT
Because the project began in April, at the start of the planting season, the PIU was under
pressure to launch all the activities earmarked for the first and second halves of the year, which
led to delays in activities focused on marketing, Outcome 2, and presented difficulties in the
procurement of greenhouses.
The project should avoid distributing goods free of charge and instead try to support
beneficiaries through a cost-sharing approach.
7. GENDER MAINSTREAMING
A gender assessment among small-scale vegetable growers in urban and peri-urban areas was
conducted by external gender specialists. The report will be finalised and shared with relevant
partners in February 2017. Findings and recommendations will be taken up and integrated into
the project’s Yearly Plan of Operation in 2017. A gender action plan will also be elaborated
based on the assessment findings.
Highlights of the assessment
- The mean of hours for reproductive daily activities (such as cooking and cleaning) for
female household member is an hour higher than the time spent by male members for
the same activities. There is generally no significant gender differences in time use for
paid activities.
- Household-level farming is the most common form of vegetable farming activities, but
very few are registered as a company. The majority of the farmers who are responsible
for vegetable businesses are male.
- 50 % of respondents are vegetable farmers growing vegetables in greenhouses; this
figure increased greenhouse vegetable production was supported by the project. The
majority of the households engaged in vegetable farming have greenhouses.
- The majority of respondents have changed vegetable varieties.
- The arable land of a nuclear or extended family is registered to be owned or used by
men.
- More than 50 % of respondents have mechanised equipment, which are mainly used by
men. Women have almost no agricultural tools to alleviate the burden of
female-dominated activities.
- The farmers who predominantly sell vegetables in autumn and winter are women; in
spring and summer it is men. Women play a more important role in the selling of
vegetables.
- Female respondents mainly participated in trainings and meetings and joined with
different communities and groups to grow vegetables.
- Husband or wife-dominated decisions related to vegetable production were made in
more than 50 % of households who participated in the survey. One-third of respondents
make decisions in consultation with their spouse and involve equal participation.
- Most of resources are registered under a husband’s name but household financial
decisions are made by wives. Decisions related to mechanical equipment are primarily
made by husbands or male household members. As a result, decisions related to
labour-saving equipment for women are dependent on male attitudes. It can hence be
concluded that there are pronounced gendered stereotypes.
22

23. 8. MONITORING AND EVALUATION
A baseline study was carried out in the second quarter of 2016, and a poverty assessment in
the project’s target area in the third quarter. A monitoring and evaluation plan and a database of
the project was elaborated and is regularly updated.
9. MANAGEMENT
The Project Implementation Unit is comrpised of eight core staff, based on the Mongolian Potato
Programme team. A Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and Marketing Specialist were also hired.
The project also provides internship opportunities for Swiss and local interns in Ulaanbaatar​.
23

24. 10.ANNEX
- VEGI Project baseline study
- VEGI Project poverty assessment
- VEGI Project vegetable marketing study
- VEGI Project gender assessment
- VEGI Project database of 2016 (M&E)
24