1.2 Detalles de contacto de las personas de referencia e instituciones involucradas en la evaluación y la documentación del Enfoque

Nombre del proyecto que facilitó la documentación/ evaluación del Enfoque (si fuera relevante)

Global coordination project for the SFM Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program (GEF-FAO / DSL-IP)

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación del Enfoque si fuera relevante)

Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geography and Geoecology (IGG) - Mongolia

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

¿Cuándo se compilaron los datos (en el campo)?

04/10/2023

El compilador y la/s persona(s) de referencia claves aceptan las condiciones acerca del uso de los datos documentados mediante WOCAT :

Sí

1.4 Referencia/s al/los Cuestionario(s) de Tecnologías MST

2.1 Breve descripción del Enfoque

The Approach aims to ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector by training and mentoring young farmers in conservation agriculture to improve soil fertility and health and maintain productivity.

2.2 Descripción detallada del Enfoque MST

Descripción detallada del Enfoque MST:

Within the framework of the mentorship programme, companies introducing innovative technologies in the agricultural discipline such as conservation agriculture, are selected as mentors and connected with young entrepreneurs who are new to this type of activities. Based on main principles of mentorship, the conservation agriculture knowledge sharing and mentorship program aims to transfer knowledge and skills gained from real-life experiences, lessons, failures, and successes of experienced farmers to young farmers.
The mentors develop a technology card, showing main steps how to apply the technology to the young farmers. Farmers further share their experiences and knowledge gained during technology adoption through group chats and group pages on the social media, giving advice on how to fix any problems and uploading their stories of how they overcame problems in the same situation. The mentorship program involves workshops combined with in-person training to provide fundamental understanding of the SLM technology and practical field visits.
In order to empower young farmers, the Mongolian National Crop Farmers Association organized an introductory training course on mixed cropping technology and conservation agriculture (CA) in 2022. As a result of the training, young farmers who were interested in this technology became members of the mentorship program with the condition that they modify their equipment, machinery and field specifications/requirements (e.g.fencig and leaving cover on the soil surface) to adapt to CA. Total of 9 companies from nearby provinces, Dornod and Khentii, participated in the program as mentees. The mentorship program on Mixed Cropping and CA is led by Khentiin Tarialan LLC which is successfully implementing these technologies in Khentii province.
In order to sustainably maintain the mentorship program, the Mongolian National Crop Farmers Association and the project "Promoting Dryland Sustainable Landscapes and Biodiversity Conservation in the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia" implemented by FAO and WWF organize workshops for young farmers in the non-agricultural season (winter) and conduct field visits before the agricultural season (spring) every year, helping to spread good practice and knowledge.
In 2023, the mentor gave methodological advice to young farmers during a classroom lecture on how to maintain plant health, develop mixed cropping and crop rotationmaps, take soil samples with specific equipment, and how to check crop quality followed by a field visit during which. participants obtained knowledge about positive impacts of mixed cropping and CA on soil restoration and financial benefits as well as at first year results, lessons learnt (success and failures) and problems encount. A total of 129 farmers from Dornod, Khentii, Sukhbaatar, Darkhan, Bulgan, Tuv and Selenge provinces participated in this training.
In addition, a closed group has been set up to share information using social networking sites, and a mentor uploads short videos on the internet to introduce the technology to people who are interested. In the future, it is planned to increase the number of mentors and topics.
Because this program is organized on a need-based and volunteer basis, parties participate with a positive attitude. Basic requirements including financial support, communication and cooperation are needed to support and sustain the implementation of the program.

2.3 Fotos del Enfoque

2.5 País/ región/ lugares donde el Enfoque fue aplicado

2.6 Fechas de inicio y conclusión del Enfoque

2.7 Tipo de Enfoque

• proyecto/ basado en un programa

2.8 Propósitos/ objetivos principales del Enfoque

The primary objective is to establish a knowledge-sharing and training network for farmers, enabling them to exchange their observations, achievements, and challenges gathered from actual experiences, and to introduce modern agricultural technologies that are resilient to climate change and have a positive impact on soil and biodiversity.

2.9 Condiciones que facilitan o impiden la implementación de la/s Tecnología/s aplicadas bajo el Enfoque

3.1 Partes interesadas involucradas en el Enfoque y sus roles

3.2 Involucramiento de los usuarios locales de tierras/ comunidades locales en las distintas fases del Enfoque

	Involucramiento de los usuarios locales de tierras/ comunidades locales	Especifique quién se involucró y describa las actividades
iniciación/ motivación	auto-movilización	As a result of the first regional meeting, the farmers were motivated to introduce new technologies and joined the initiative to develop their farms properly under the guidance and support of the mentor.
planificación	ninguno	The training course and meetings are mainly organized by the Mongolian National Crop Farmers Association, International Organizations and the Department of Food and Agriculture of Khentii province.
implementación	auto-movilización	Farmers began the process of upgrading or adapting their machinery according to the mentor's recommendations and started to plant according to the technological card prepared by the mentor.
monitoreo y evaluación	pasivo	As the initiative is still in its beginning phase, local communities have not been directly involved in monitoring and evaluation of the Approach. But farmers implementing the conservation agricultural technology evaluate changes in soil quality and biodiversity through observation and soil sample analysis. In addition, agricultural specialists of local government evaluate the process of mentorship program based on report.
learn/research	interactivo	Land users have gained knowledge and experience through the use of printed and electronic resources and applying in their field.

3.3 Flujograma (si estuviera disponible)

3.4 La toma de decisiones en la selección de Tecnología(s) MST

Especifique quién decidió la selección de las Tecnología/ Tecnologías a implementarse:

• principalmente usuarios de tierras con el apoyo de especialistas MST

Especifique las bases que sustentaron la toma de decisiones:

• hallazgos de investigaciones
• la experiencia personal y opiniones (no documentadas)

4.1 Construcción de capacidades / capacitación

¿Se proporcionó la capacitación a usuarios de tierras/ otras partes interesadas?

Sí

Especifique quién fue capacitado:

• usuarios de tierras

Forma de capacitación:

• en el contexto de trabajo
• de agricultor a agricultor
• áreas de demostración
• reuniones públicas

Temas avanzados:

Under the topic of conservation agriculture and its special technologies to implement, methods such as crop rotation, intercropping, mixed cropping, and leaving plant stubbles and residues in/on the soil, how they are implemented, their advantages and disadvantages were introduced.

Comentarios:

The training program comprises two sessions: a theoretical session in a dedicated room, during which the participants are introduced to the concept of conservation agriculture and its potential advantages and disadvantages; and a practical demonstration area, where the participants can observe the implementation of technology in action. Moreover, training participants discuss their own experiences during public meetings and mentor gives personal advice to participants when necessary.

4.2 Servicio de asesoría

¿Los usuarios de tierras tienen acceso a un servicio de asesoría?

Sí

Especifique si servicio proporcionado se realizó:

• en los campos de los usuarios de tierras

• Social network

Describa/ comentarios:

Land users can take methodological advice from a mentor as well as specialists from local government. Within a limited group and based on social networks, there was an opportunity to receive advice on relevant issues from time to time.

4.3 Fortalecimiento institucional (desarrollo institucional)

¿Se establecieron o fortalecieron instituciones mediante el Enfoque?

• no

4.4 Monitoreo y evaluación

¿El monitoreo y la evaluación forman parte del Enfoque?

Sí

Comentarios:

The farmers implementing the technology monitor changes in soil quality through observation and soil sample analysis. Soil samples collected from field are analyzed in an accepted laboratory. Local government institution does external monitoring on the Approach.

Si respondió que sí, ¿la documentación se utilizará para monitoreo y evaluación?

No

4.5 Investigación

¿La investigación formó parte del Enfoque?

Sí

Especifique los temas:

• tecnología

Proporcione detalles adicionales e indique quién hizo la investigación:

To implement the technology, the farmer reviewed literature from many national and international sources. In addition, he had contact with scientists, who helped in deciding what and how to implement.

5.1 Presupuesto anual para el componente MST del Enfoque

Indique el presupuesto anual para el componente del MST del Enfoque (en US$):

4430,00

Si no se conoce el presupuesto anual preciso, indique el rango:

• 2,000-10,000

Comentarios (ej. fuentes principales de financiamiento/ donantes principales):

Total annual budget of technology is approximately MNT 165.5 million or $ 48 000. This includes labor, implementation of the technology, fuel, purchase of seeds, etc. as well as organization of training courses, field visits, networking and backstopping, monitoring costs and all other expenses.

5.2 Apoyo financiero/material proporcionado a los usuarios de tierras

¿Los usuarios de tierras recibieron financiamiento/ apoyo material para implementar la Tecnología/ Tecnologías? :

No

5.4 Crédito

¿Se proporcionó crédito bajo el Enfoque para actividades MST?

Sí

Especifique las condiciones (tasa de interés el apoyo, amortización, etc.):

The Mongolian government has decided to provide an investment loan with purpose of supporting the food and agricultural industry in 2023. The credit grants 3-5 year loans with an interest rate of 5-6 percent to farmers in order to improve circulating capital and investment. The credit volume ranges from 5 to 15 billion, depending on the bank and the size of the farm.

Especifique los proveedores de crédito:

The Mongolian government has signed an agreement with 10 commercial banks in Mongolia. The banks are offering soft loans with an interest rate of 5-6 percent, while the Ministry of Food and Agriculture is covering the gap between interest rates, charging 13 percent.

Especifique los destinatarios del crédito :

It can be an individual land user or farmer, a group such as user groups or associations and/ or a cooperative.

5.5 Otros incentivos o instrumentos

¿Se usaron otros incentivos o instrumentos para promover la implementación de Tecnologías MST?

Sí

Si fuera el caso, especifique :

Participants were eligible for subsidized loan from the Agricultural Development Fund which has ended in 2023. The Agricultural Corporation was established in 2021 by the Mongolian government. The Agricultural Corporation is a state-owned limited liability company that provides necessary products for the agricultural development of Mongolia with discounted prices and loans to farmers, allowing to repay the loans with the products produced by them. The corporation is mainly responsible for purchasing all kinds of seeds, fertilizers, plant protection substances, fuel, machinery and equipment from the domestic and international market. The farmers have the possibility to purchase equipment with discount price.

6.1 Impactos del Enfoque

6.2 Motivación principal del usuario de la tierra para implementar MST

6.3 Sostenibilidad de las actividades del Enfoque

¿Pueden los usuarios de tierras sostener lo que se implementó mediante el Enfoque (sin apoyo externo)?

• sí

Si respondió que sí, describa cómo:

Previously, a mentor provided advice and knowledge to other farmers through a social network and direct contact. Financial support from international organizations has enabled more farmers to participate in the mentorship program. Further, the local government can organize training, and also the mentor can personally run this program through the social network and extension center. The number of people who are interested in mentorship program is gradually increasing.

6.4 Fortalezas/ ventajas del Enfoque

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra
Thementorship programme supports farmers in implementing Conservation Agriculture by training them in fundamental knowledge, particularly it involves young farmers who are the future land users.
Young farmers can quickly learn about Conservation Agricultural saving time and can get instructions and advice directly from a mentor with real experiences.
It is possible to disseminate knowledge to more people on a small budget.
Communication between farmers and collaboration between organizations can be improved by the Approach. During the meetings and field visits, problems and successes are discussed and experiences shared.

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave
It is a fast way to practice young farmers in implementing conservation agriculture.
The social network allows participants to quickly share knowledge and experiences with each other and easily communicate with a mentor.
Understanding CA from people who have implemented CA. Farmers are motivated to implement conservation agriculture because of its sustainability.
It provides the opportunity to solve problems as a team, collecting different experiences and solutions.

6.5 Debilidades/ desventajas del Enfoque y formas de sobreponerse a ellos

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
In order to organize training in wide range, it needs financial support.	Financial support from other sources, including international organizations and projects.
Implementing CA requires farmers to adapt their equipment to the technology, which has a high initial cost.	There are soft loans from banks to support sustainable land use. The farmers can get this kind of loan.

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
The training course and the field visit require a certain amount of money. Thus, the mentorship program may slow down without financial support.	It needs to get financial support or participants can give payment for the programme.
It requires coordination to plan trainings and field visits, and means of communication to reach farmers.	To work consistently with local government and farmers.
Currently, there is only one mentor training farmers. Therefore, the number of mentors with different experiences needs to be increased.	To detect new mentors with experience of conservation agriculture.

7.1 Métodos/ fuentes de información

7.3 Vínculos a la información relevante disponible en línea

Título/ descripción:

Youtube channel hosted by mentor

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/@covercropmongolia9564

Título/ descripción:

Facebook page sharing experiences on social network

URL:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063508026054