Project Summary
The proposed technical assistance aims to contribute to the transformation of the Mongolian dairy sector towards greater resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change and to mitigate its environmental footprint by addressing low animal productivity and revisiting the existing production systems in the selected geographical area. More specifically, the project will build the capacity of the Dairy Development Board of Mongolia — which represents different shareholders in the dairy value chain, from herders to processors and consumers — to foster climate-smart practices in animal husbandry and assess GHG emissions in livestock.
This project aims to contribute to the transformation of the Mongolia’s dairy sector towards climate resilience and reduced environmental impact. To do so, the project will build the capacity of the Dairy Development Board to foster climate-smart practices and conduct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting.
Context
Mongolia’s dairy sector is fundamental to its rural economy, providing income and food security for a large proportion of the population. However, it is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including droughts and the occurrence of dzuds (severe winter condition).
Additionally, low animal and land productivity, environmental degradation and inefficient resource use are common issues within the sector. In response, the Government and stakeholders are committed to transforming the dairy industry, aligning with national climate goals and improving sustainability.
activities
Component 1: An initial diagnosis of dairy farming in Mongolia focusing on current practices and their impacts on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, environmental footprints, and vulnerability to climate change-induced stresses. Additionally, the project will support the deployment of a decision-support service (DSS) on the Dairy Development Board’s website. This service will feature key climate variables, grassland condition, and other relevant metrics to aid informed decision-making and enhance the sector’s climate resilience.
Component 2: The identification and techno-economic assessment of climate-smart measures will focus on technological and financial assessments of new practices and investments, delivering actionable protocols, blueprints, and digital solutions – from data collection to advisory service provision – to support the adoption of sustainable practices by the farming community.
Component 3: The establishment of an extension service within the Dairy Development Board by developing knowledge products and training the national advisory service providers. This is the central component as it aims to enhance national expertise in climate-smart dairy farming and GHG emissions assessment. It focuses on certifying national advisory service providers as professional advisory service providers to dairy farmers.
Component 4: The development of a GHG emissions assessment, climate action plan and supplier engagement programme. This component involves piloting climate-smart practices with at least one corporate client of the EBRD in Mongolia’s dairy sector. It includes conducting a GHG baseline assessment, developing a climate action plan to reduce emissions and enhance resilience, and launching a supplier engagement programme.
