Mongolia started to celebrate World Camel Day and Consultative meeting on “Mongolian Bactrian Camel – Development opportunities and Strategy” held

Dedicated to World Camel Day, Dairy Asia, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and FAO Mongolia jointly organized the consultative meeting “Mongolian Bactrian Camel – Development Opportunities and Strategy” on 22nd June 2023.

In the welcoming, Ms. B.Saranchimeg, Member of the State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia, chair of the Standing Committee on Environment, Food and Agriculture, Mr. T.Jambaltseren, State Secretary, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia, Mr. G.Ulziisaikhan, Director General, Department of Trade and Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, and Dr. Dr. Vinod, Ahuja, FAO representative in Mongolia delivered an opening speech.

Moderated by Mr. Batbaatar Bayarmagnai, CEO and coordinator, Dairy Asia, the consultative meeting had a following presentations:

• “Policy and Activities on Camel Husbandry in Mongolia” – Ms. G.Naranchuluun, Director General, Department of Animal Husbandry Policy Implementation and Coordination, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia;
• Camel husbandry in the region and Mongolia’s opportunity, and Dairy Asia’s proposed Initiative” – Mr. Batbaatar Bayarmagnai, CEO and coordinator, Dairy Asia;
• “FAO project activities in the camel milk production in Mongolia” – Ms. G.Nyamjargal, Assistant Representative, FAO Mongolia;
• “Camel milk nutrition benefit in public health” – Sc.D. Ts. Batsukh, Founder and Board member, Mongolian Bactrian Association;
• “Camel milk export from Mongolia, its possibilities and challenges” – Mr. S.Erdenebayar Director, Investment Department, “TESO Group” LLC;
• New Project introduction on “Camel dairy farming and milk processing factory in Bayankhongor” – Ms. D.Khishigbayar, CEO, “Ingen Erdene” LOE;
• “Initiative for establishing Camel Hospital in Umnugobi province” – Mr. Sh. Bat-Erdene, Director, Department of Food and Agriculture, Umnugobi province;
• “Sustainable camel wool production in Mongolia and further goals” – Ms. D.Altantsetseg, CEO, Mongolian Wool and Cashmere Association;
• “Camel culture in Mongolia” – Ms. D.Erdenetuya, Chairman, “Camel Culture” NGO;
• “Camel racing and tourism in Mongolia” – Mr. N.Ariunsanaa, General Secretary, “Camel Culture and Racing Association”.

In the consultative meeting participated +40 representatives from relevant ministries, government agencies, NGOs, industrial associations, research institutions, universities, private sector, and international organizations.

As a result of consultative meeting, all participants called and recommended the following activities in the country:

1. Develop and implement a long-term policy to protecting the Mongolian Bactrian camel genetics, improving the breed, increasing its profitability, facilitating the work of camel herders, and introducing advanced technology to the camel husbandry;
2. Support the camel originated production such as milk, wool, bull gum through building economic incentives;
3. Develop the export oriented, value added camel milk and wool production through building an international and global brand based on Mongolia’s comparative advantages in camel sector and improving a legal and economic environment in the country;
4. Support the research and development of camel husbandry, camel breeding, camel raw material production, train young researchers, conduct market research, and strengthen cooperation of academic and research institutions;
5. Based on the experience of Camel and Yak wool cluster supported by Mongolian Trade Support project, establish the camel milk cluster in Mongolia, secure the multi-stake holder partnership and cooperation of government, NGOs, academic and research institutions, and private sector.
6. Promote the camel milk nutritious value, and importance of camel milk to public health, support camel milk production through cash incentive policy;
7. Support the local initiative to establish a camel hospital and camel research center in Umnugobi province, and disseminate the specialized veterinary services, knowledge, and good practices to other provinces.
8. Register and support the tangible and intangible camel cultural heritage and traditional knowledge in such as camel herding and milk processing;
9. Promote and advertise the traditional camel culture worldwide , and develop the camel tourism based on camel racing, camel polo and camel activities.
10. Develop the camel milk production through FAO implementing EU funded project for establishing Camel milk cooperative in Khanbogd district, and semi-intensive farming in Khankhongor district in Umnugobi province, and spread the best experiences and good practices to other provinces;
11. Study and research on the camel husbandry, camel milk and baby camel wool production based on Mongolia’s unique nature, climate and geography to register in the “Geographical Indication” and “Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System”;
12. Support the proposed initiative from Dairy Asia dialogue to establish the World Bactrian Camel Association in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and strengthen the cooperation and partnership of Bactrian Camel husbandry countries, and promote Mongolia’s camel industry worldwide;
13. Celebrate the World Camel Day in Mongolia, and support the cooperation of all relevant parties and multi-stakeholders in the camel sector;
14. Celebrate the International Year of Camelids declared by UN, and organize the International Forum on Bactrian Camel for welcoming all relevant countries.

During the consultative meeting, an exhibition for camel wool and milk products jointly organized in the “Consensus” Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia.