NGO teaches herders to generate income from their animals

Chineeleg Malchin Boijuulakh Tuv NGO announced the launch of their “Rich Herders” project in Govisumber Province on September 12. The project will hold trainings on ways to generate income from livestock and gave healthy lambs to herders who took part.

Head of Chineeleg Malchin Boijuulakh Tuv L.Odser underlined that this project will not only increase income of herder families, but also improve pasture protection and rehabilitation.

“There are possibilities to generate income with more efficient labor. We are trying to increase the number of domestic herds by raising female sheep, which is the most profitable cattle in Mongolia that is best suited to the climate, pastures and vegetation in the country. Initially, we are focusing on raising female sheep. If a herder family has 500 female sheep, 200 to 300 goats, 50 horses and 50 cows, we believe they have sufficient animals to operate a startup business. Even though the first model for this program is Govisumber Province, it is expected to reach all provinces and all herders.”

According to Chineeleg Malchin Boijuulakh Tuv, herders raise a sheep for at least five years until it matures to slaughter it. This means the cost of raising the animal exceeds the economic benefit from it.

The seven to eight-year-old sheep produces around 11 to 12 kg of meat. The training hopes to teach herders ways to raise their sheep to produce 20 to 25 kg of meat in much shorter span of time.