Meeting of farmers, agricultural producers and agricultural policy makers in the framework of the mentorship programme (Mongolian National Crop Farmers Association)

Conservation agriculture knowledge sharing and mentorship programme (Mongólia)

Zaluu tarialanchiin mentor khutulbur

Descrição

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.

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.

Localização

Localização: Takhilgat bag, Khentii province, Kherlen soum, Mongólia

Geo-referência de locais selecionados
  • 110.99228, 47.57177

Data de início: 2022

Ano de término: n.a.

Tipo de abordagem
Under the mentorship program, the mentor who has successfully implemented conservation agriculture shared his experience with young farmers. (Javzansuren N.)
Young farmers involved in mentorship program field visit to discuss the importance of conservation agriculture and its positive effects on the environment and economy. (Oyungerel Ts.)

Objetivos de aproximação e ambiente propício

Principais metas / objetivos da abordagem
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.
Condições que permitem a implementação da Tecnologia(s) aplicada(s) sob a Abordagem
  • Quadro institucional: The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry and local administration, UNDP-FAO, General department of Land Planning, Geodesy and Mapping support the mentorship program.
  • Colaboração/coordenção de atores: As a result of the collaboration among the UNDP-FAO, WWF and Khentiin Tarialan LLC, other farmers can share their experiences and knowledge.
  • Políticas: The agricultural policy at national and local level may support multi-species agriculture with high-productivity, because of their positive effects on soil protection and sustainable use. The local administrative support entities aimed to rehabilitate degraded land by renting land and providing soft loan.
  • Governança da terra (tomada de decisões, implementação e aplicação): It is a form of support to include it in local land management planning.
  • Conhecimento sobre GST, acesso a suporte técnico: Volunteer members of the mentoring program, facilitate knowledge sharing and give technical support.
  • Carga de trabalho, disponibilidade de força de trabalho: The implementing conservation agricultural technologies has the potential to reduce labour costs related to pest control, herbicide and fertilizer application
Condições que dificultam a implementação da Tecnologia(s) aplicada(s) sob a Abordagem
  • Disponibilidade/acesso a recursos e serviços financeiros: Not every farmer has the opportunity to upgrade his/her machinery and take advantage of bank subsidy programs. For circulation and investment purposes banks lend to food and agricultural enterprises low loans with interest rates from about 5 to 8 per cent and 5-15 billion tugruks for 2-7 years (2023).
  • Mercados (para comprar entradas, vender produtos) e preços: Main factor affecting costs is inflation. Thus, it can have a great effect on purchasing equipment, seeds and other input. Currently, there is no demand of some of the crops on the market (e.g. flax).

Participação e papel das partes interessadas envolvidas

Partes interessadas envolvidas na abordagem e seus papéis
Que partes interessadas/órgãos de implementação estavam envolvidos na abordagem? Especifique as partes interessadas Descreva o papel das partes interessadas
Usuários de terra/comunidades locais Local agricultural companies and young farmers. Currently, a total of 9 agricultural companies from Dornod and Khentii provinces are participating in this program. Exchange and enhance knowledge, connect problems and find solutions together. They are responsible for monitoring soil quality change in their field.
Especialistas em GST/ consultor agrícola Batnaran B., Mongolian, farmer. He implements mixed cropping and Conservation Agriculture in Kherlen soum, Khentii province. Currently, he is the only mentor,sharing his knowledge and training other participants. More mentors are planned to become involved. Develop technical cards, present technological solutions, give advice and information on social networks, host Facebook group and Youtube channel.
Organização não governamental Mongolian National Crop Farmers Association Organize training courses and meetings, distribute information and offer networking space for participants and farmers.
Governo local The Department of Food and Agriculture in Khentii province Provide policy support related to land tenure and provide loan for farmers, disseminate information about mentorship program, carry out external monitoring on yield, and methodological recommendations for farmers
Organização internacional UNDP-FAO, WWF International organizations provide financial support to organize meeting and practical training. These activities help to improve communication between farmers, broaden participant range, disseminate information on technology. Also, they provided variety of seeds that were not commonly planted in Mongolia - so that farmers can create their own seed bank.
Agência líder
Under the goal of revitalizing the agricultural sector of the province, the Department of Food and Agriculture in Khentii province demonstrate leadership on policy level and policy implementation.
Envolvimento do usuários de terra/comunidades locais nas diferentes fases da abordagem
Nenhum
Passivo
Apoio externo
Participativo
Automobilização
Iniciação/motivação
x
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.
Planejamento
x
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.
Implementação
x
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.
Monitoramento/avaliação
x
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
x
Land users have gained knowledge and experience through the use of printed and electronic resources and applying in their field.
Fluxograma

Implementation phases of knowledge sharing network and mentorship program in conservation agriculture.

Autor: Otgontsetseg D.
Tomada de decisão sobre a seleção da Tecnologia GST

As decisões foram tomadas por

  • Somente usuários da terra (iniciativa própria)
  • Principalmente usuários da terra, apoiados por especialistas em GST
  • todos os atores relevantes, como parte de uma abordagem participativa
  • Principalmente especialistas em GST, após consulta com usuários da terra
  • Somente especialistas em GST
  • Políticos/líderes

As decisões foram tomadas com base em

  • Avaliação de conhecimento bem documentado de GST (tomada de decisão baseada em evidências)
  • Resultados de pesquisa
  • Experiência pessoal e opiniões (não documentado)

Suporte técnico, reforço das capacidades e gestão do conhecimento

As seguintes atividades ou serviços têm sido parte da abordagem
Reforço das capacidades/formação
Foi fornecido treinamento às seguintes partes interessadas
  • Usuários de terra
  • Equipe de campo/consultores
Tipo de formação
  • Em exercício
  • Agricultor para agricultor
  • Áreas de demonstração
  • Reuniões públicas
  • Cursos
Assuntos abordados

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.

Serviço de consultoria
Foi prestado um serviço de consultoria
  • nas áreas dos usuários da terra
  • Em centros permanentes
  • Social network
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.
Monitoramento e avaliação
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.
Pesquisa
As pesquisas trataram dos seguintes tópicos
  • Sociologia
  • Economia/Marketing
  • Ecologia
  • Tecnologia

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.

Financiamento e apoio material externo

Orçamento anual em USD para o componente GST
  • < 2.000
  • 2.000-10.000
  • 10.000-100.000
  • 100.000-1.000.000
  • > 1.000.000
Precise annual budget: 4430.0
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.
Os seguintes serviços ou incentivos foram fornecidos aos usuários de terras
  • Apoio financeiro/material concedido aos usuários da terra
  • Subsídios para insumos específicos
  • Crédito
  • Outros incentivos ou instrumentos
Crédito
Outros incentivos ou instrumentos

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.

Análise de impactos e declarações finais

Impactos da abordagem
Não
Sim, pouco
Sim, moderadamente
Sim, significativamente
A abordagem concedeu autonomia aos usuários locais de terra, melhorou a participação das partes interessadas?

The mentorship program enabled participants to gain knowledge and experience in conservation agriculture and land restoration by organizing trainings, field visits, meetings and discussions, a fundamental basis for the successful implementation of the technology. Moreover, it supports communication and collaboration among the different stakeholders such as local administration, international organization, companies and local land users.

x
A abordagem propiciou a tomada de decisão baseada em evidências?

Because first-hand experience of conservation agriculture in the field is shared through the mentorship programme, farmers base their decision to adopt conservation agricultuere on the knowledge they have gained from training, the technical and financial support they can receive and the belonging to the mentorship programme and resulting network.

x
A abordagem auxiliou os usuários da terra a implementar e manter as tecnologias de GST?

The mentorship program allows for the dissemination of knowledge about conservation agriculture, including both the establishment and the long-term maintenance of such practices. Furthermore, the farmers participating in the mentorship programme can seek advice through a social network and direct contact with a mentor. By sharing knowledge about conservation agriculture with other farmers, advantages, disadvantages and potential of the technology are shown, as well as the long-term efficiency and benefits for land restoration.

x
A abordagem melhorou a coordenação e a implementação economicamente eficiente da GST?

Conservation agriculture is a cost-effective technology in the long term.

x
A abordagem aprimorou o conhecimento e as capacidades dos usuários da terra para implementar a GST?

A main goal is to improve and share knowledge about Conservation Agriculture. A mentor shares his knowledge with other land users, helping them to build and enhance their experience and knowledge.

x
A abordagem aprimorou o conhecimento e as capacidades de outras partes interessadas?

The meeting, organized in 2023, involved all stakeholders and presented the results of the mentorship program as well as of Conservation Agricultural and its related technologies.

x
A abordagem construiu/fortaleceu instituições, colaboração entre partes interessadas?

The Approach improved collaboration between stakeholders by organizing joint meetings and discussions. Generally, Mongolian National Crop Farmers Association and WWF -Mongolia jointly organize the training and meetings. Local government, farmers, international and non-governmental organizations discuss their results and problems to each other during the meeting. It allows to support further collaboration.

x
A abordagem encorajou os jovens/as próximas gerações de usuários de terra a se envolverem na GST?

The mentorship program aims to involve mainly young farmers.

x
A abordagem aprimorou a capacidade dos usuários da terra de adaptar-se a mudanças climáticas/extremos e atenuar os desastres relacionados com o clima?

The Approach enhanced capacity of young farmers through training them on Conservation Agriculture, which improves resilient to climate change and disasters.

x
Principal motivação dos usuários da terra para implementar a GST
Atividades de sustentabilidade de abordagem
Os usuários da terra podem sustentar o que foi implementado através da Abordagem (sem apoio externo)?

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.

Conclusões e experiências adquiridas

Pontos fortes: visão do usuário de terra
  • 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.
Pontos fortes: a visão do/a compilador/a ou de outra pessoa capacitada
  • 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.
Pontos fracos/desvantagens/riscos: visão do usuário de terracomo superar
  • 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.
Pontos fracos/desvantagens/riscos: a visão do/a compilador/a ou de outra pessoa capacitadacomo superar
  • 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.

Referências

Compilador/a
  • Otgontsetseg Davaanyam
Editores
  • Mandakh Nyamtseren
Revisor
  • Rima Mekdaschi Studer
Data da documentação: 21 de Dezembro de 2023
Última atualização: 25 de Junho de 2024
Pessoas capacitadas
Descrição completa no banco de dados do WOCAT
Dados GST vinculados
A documentação foi facilitada por
Instituição Projeto
Links para informação relevante que está disponível online
This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareaAlike 4.0 International