Transformation of a pastoral economy: a local view from Arhangai and Dornogobi provinces

Mongolia is embarking on the liberalisation of agriculture as part of its overall programme of economic transformation. The major part of the agricultural sector is extensive livestock husbandry or semi-nomadic pastoralism, organised principally through the agricultural cooperatives or negdels. The purpose of this joint Mongolia-UK policy research and training project is: (i) to build social science research capability in Mongolian research institutions; (ii) to provide a description, and analysis of the Mongolian pastoral livelihood system, focusing especially on production and distribution issues at household and local level; and (iii) to generate information and skills to facilitate policy choices to be made in the next five years, and monitor changes already underway. The three year project focuses mainly on the negdels, since they make up the largest part of the rural economy, although reference will also be made to other agricultural enterprises and economic sectors. The main research themes included in this project are: (i) household production and marketing strategies, and vulnerability; (ii) seasonality, animal nutrition and grazing management; (iii) land and natural resource tenure; and (iv) risk and risk management. Secondary research themes include: (v) raising productivity; (vi) livestock and livestock product marketing; and (vii) managing the economic transition. Important guiding principles behind this project are to consider the environmental sustainability of economic reforms; and their differential impacts between ecological zones, between richer and poorer households, and between different household members. The project is being carried out by a joint UK-Mongolian research team drawn from the three cooperating institutions: the Mongolian Research Institute of Animal Husbandry (RIAH), the Mongolian Institute of Agricultural Economics (IAE), and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex, UK. This working paper documents the findings of the initial phase of fieldwork during July-August 1991. This phase included the training of Mongolian team members in fieldwork methodology, especially the techniques of participatory or rapid rural appraisal. The fieldwork was carried out in Arhangai province or aimag, representing the forest/mountain steppe ecological zone; and Dornogobi aimag in the Gobi zone. The research consisted primarily of case studies of two brigades, one in each aimag, with extensive semi-structured interviewing conducted at household level, and supplementary interviews at aimag and negdel levels. Of the research themes listed above, attention during this phase focused on the first four

Summary report of work undertaken in 1992

The Policy Alternatives for Livestock Development (PALD) project aims to facilitate, through training, research and policy analysis, the transition from a command to a market economy in the extensive livestock sector in Mongolia. The project, run jointly by the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex, UK, the Research Institute of Animal Husbandry and the Institute of Agricultural Economics in Mongolia, is sponsored by the Mongolian Ministry of Agriculture, the Supreme Council of Agricultural Cooperatives and the Council of Agricultural Science at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. The main PALD programme will, funding permitting, start in 1992, and will last for three years. Thanks to the availability of limited funding from several sources,1 it was possible for preliminary work to start in 1991, in order to prepare for full project activities in 1992. This short report summarises the conclusions of that work, which is described in more detail in three PALD Working Papers available separately.2 PALD has three main thrusts - training, primary field research, and policy analysis and debate - and progress was made in each of these during 1991

Building the Resilience and Prosperity of Pastoralists and Dryland Communities: Summary report of the research and policy dialogue, Nairobi, Kenya, 1–2 October 2025

Involving development partners and investors, governments, civil society actors, pastoral associations, policy and research organizations, this two-day dialogue on ‘Building the Resilience and Prosperity of Pastoralists and Dryland Communities’ was convened by three research for policy and practice institutions: the IGAD Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD), the Jameel Observatory for Food Security Early Action, and the Supporting Pastoralism and Agriculture in Recurrent and Protracted Crises (SPARC) programme. The conference offered a mix of sessions with presentations, plenary and panel discussions, space for audience interaction and showcased case studies, findings and good practices. Together, the sessions were designed to highlight: 1) pathways to prosperity and resilience for drylands and pastoralists; 2) advancing dryland’s futures through innovation and technology; and 3) investing in and delivering for dryland people

Including access and benefit sharing in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

This paper was prepared for consideration by the 2nd meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, Rome, Italy, February 2020. It includes proposals for how access and benefit-sharing rules, practices and impacts could be integrated in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (Post 2020 Framework)

Consumer preferences and the uptake of animal healthcare by the poor: a case study from Kenya

This paper examines issues in the delivery of veterinary services to the poor in Kenya. Utilising a simplified livelihood approach, the study found that livestock most often functioned as a means of gaining social approbation rather than a risk mitigation strategy. In regard to the delivery of veterinary services, three key parameters were evaluated: access, acceptability and affordability. The assessment revealed that access to veterinary services rather than affordability is the primary constraint. However, few herders and farmers were spending close to the estimated 'ideal' on livestock drugs. Knowledge regarding livestock health was poor, further contributing to the overall low uptake of veterinary goods and services. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Improving the delivery of animal health services in developing countries A literature review

Report to the Overseas Development AdministrationSIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:96/22413 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo