USAID/Mongolia :: Programs

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Contact the Mission

USAID/Mongolia
P.O. Box 1021
Ulaanbaatar-13
MONGOLIA
Phone: 976-11-312390
Fax: 976-11-310440
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March 2009

Gobi Regional Economic Growth Initiative (GI)

Mercy Corps
www.mercycorps.org.mn

Training for Rural Consultants

A two-day training event was organised for rural consultants in Ulaanbaatar. The goal of the training was to enhance the capacity of the consultants to give technical advice to rural producers and to help them maximize the efficiency, and hence profitability, of their operations. Thirty-seven people—two consultants from each of the 12 aimags where Mercy Corps operates and 13 Mercy Corps staff—gathered in Ulaanbaatar for the event. They learned about formation and development of producer groups and approaches for connecting these groups to distant markets. These local consultants will now assist with the formation of producer groups, cooperatives and other legal entities.

Awareness Campaign on Animal Husbandry Sector Laws and Regulations

In order to enhance public access to legal education and to augment public (especially herders') capacity for translating legal provisions into everyday life, an awareness campaign aimed at publicizing relevant laws to herders, veterinarians and related professional organizations was designed this month. The campaign will use simple and easy-to-understand brochures and television broadcasts and, among other topics, will disseminate information on the proper use of veterinary medicines to the public.

Through March, a total of 25 people—including experts from the Food and Agriculture Departments of 12 aimags and Mercy Corps staff—participated in a training event in Ulaanbaatar. The goal of the training was to help aimags prepare for the upcoming campaign. The campaign and training are being designed and organized by Mercy Corps in partnership with the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry; the National Judicial Institute; and the General State Veterinary Office.

Transition to Rural Agribusiness Support Program

Managerial and operational transition of the Gobi Initiative to the USDA-funded Rural Agribusiness Support Program was completed in March. Mercy Corps will continue to work in the Gobi region, pursuing similar rural economic development objectives to those defined under the Gobi Initiative, under this program.