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Mentorship programme on conservation agriculture

Type: Approaches

Creation: 2023-12-21 07:29   Updated: 2025-09-05 11:05

Compilers: Otgontsetseg Davaanyam

Reviewers: Rima Mekdaschi Studer

Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied
  • Country: Mongolia
  • Region/ State/ Province: Khentii province, Kherlen soum
  • Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Takhilgat bag
  • Map: View Map

Description of the SLM Approach

Short description of the Approach

The Approach aims to ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector by training and mentoring young farmers in conservation agriculture to improve soil fertility and health and maintain productivity.

Detailed description of the Approach

Within the framework of the mentorship programme, companies introducing innovative technologies in the agricultural discipline such as conservation agriculture, are selected as mentors and connected with young entrepreneurs who are new to this type of activities. Based on main principles of mentorship, the conservation agriculture training and mentorship program aims to transfer knowledge and skills gained from real-life experiences, lessons learnt, failures, and success stories from the experienced farmers to young farmers.
The mentors develop a technology card, showing main steps how to apply the technology to the young farmers. Farmers further share their experiences and knowledge gained during technology adoption through group chats and group pages on the social media, giving advice on how to fix any problems and uploading their stories on how they overcame problems in the same situation. The mentorship program involves workshops combined with in-person training to provide fundamental understanding of the SLM technology and practical field visits.
In order to empower young farmers, the Mongolian National Crop Farmers Association organized an introductory training course on mixed cropping technology and conservation agriculture (CA) in 2022. As a result of the training, young farmers who were interested in this technology became members of the mentorship program with the condition that they modify their equipment, machinery and field specifications/requirements (e.g. fencing and leaving cover on the soil surface) to adapt to CA. Total of 9 companies from nearby provinces, Dornod and Khentii, participated in the program as mentees. The mentorship program on Mixed Cropping and CA is led by Khentiin Tarialan LLC which is successfully implementing these technologies in Khentii province.
In order to sustainably maintain the mentorship program, the Mongolian National Crop Farmers Association and the project "Promoting Dryland Sustainable Landscapes and Biodiversity Conservation in the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia" implemented by FAO and WWF organize workshops for young farmers in the non-agricultural season (winter) and conduct field visits before the agricultural season (spring) every year, helping to spread good practice and knowledge.
In 2023, the mentor gave methodological advice to young farmers during a classroom lecture on how to maintain plant health, develop mixed cropping and crop rotationmaps, take soil samples with specific equipment, and how to check crop quality followed by a field visit during which participants obtained knowledge about positive impacts of mixed cropping and CA on soil restoration and financial benefits as well as at first year results, lessons learnt (success and failures) and problems encount. A total of 129 farmers from Dornod, Khentii, Sukhbaatar, Darkhan, Bulgan, Tuv and Selenge provinces participated in this training.
In addition, a closed group has been set up to share information using social networking sites, and a mentor uploads short videos on the internet to introduce the technology to people who are interested. In the future, it is planned to increase the number of mentors and topics.
Because this program is organized on a need-based and volunteer basis, parties participate with a positive attitude. Basic requirements including financial support, communication and cooperation are needed to support and sustain the implementation of the program.

Photos of the Approach

Image Under the mentorship program, the mentor who has successfully implemented conservation agriculture shares his experience with young farmers.
Under the mentorship program, the mentor who has successfully implemented conservation agriculture shares his experience with young farmers.
  • 📍 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • 🗓 2023-02-03
  • 📷 Javzansuren N.
Image Young farmers involved in mentorship program field visit to discuss the importance of conservation agriculture and its positive effects on the environment and economy.
Young farmers involved in mentorship program field visit to discuss the importance of conservation agriculture and its positive effects on the environment and economy.
  • 📍 Ulziit bag, Kherlen soum, Khentii province
  • 📷 Oyungerel Ts.
Image Regular meetings are organized to enhance the knowledge on soil and biodiversity conservation, and attendees discussed about further activities of the mentorship program during this session.
Regular meetings are organized to enhance the knowledge on soil and biodiversity conservation, and attendees discussed about further activities of the mentorship program during this session.
  • 📍 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • 📷 The Mongolian National Crop Farmers Association
Image Besides mentor, other farmers share their experiences during trainings and meetings.
Besides mentor, other farmers share their experiences during trainings and meetings.
  • 📍 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • 📷 Mongolian National Crop Farmers Association
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