1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

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

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

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

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

04/10/2023

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

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 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

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 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

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 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	self-mobilization	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.
planning	none	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.
implementation	self-mobilization	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.
monitoring/ evaluation	passive	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	interactive	Land users have gained knowledge and experience through the use of printed and electronic resources and applying in their field.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• mainly land users, supported by SLM specialists

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• research findings
• personal experience and opinions (undocumented)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

Form of training:

• on-the-job
• farmer-to-farmer
• demonstration areas
• public meetings

Subjects covered:

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.

Comments:

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 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields

• Social network

Describe/ comments:

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 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• no

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

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.

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

No

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

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 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

Indicate the annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach in US$:

4430.00

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 2,000-10,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

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 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

No

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

Yes

Specify conditions (interest rate, payback, 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.

Specify credit providers:

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.

Specify credit receivers:

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

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify:

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 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

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 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
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.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
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 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
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.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
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 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Youtube channel hosted by mentor

URL:

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

Title/ description:

Facebook page sharing experiences on social network

URL:

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