Livestock and Agricultural Marketing Project (LAMP)

About the Project

In Mongolia, livestock-based agriculture has been the backbone of the economy, where more than 85% of the agricultural population depends on livestock production, and the sector contributes to around 10% of all export revenues. The country, which has a population of less than 3 million, has more than 43 million livestock. However, more than half of herding families have subsistence herds of less than 100 animals. The pressure to increase animal numbers has created serious overgrazing and amplified the boom-bust cycle in livestock numbers. The sector remains vulnerable to extreme weather conditions – temperatures range as low as -45°C during the winter to as high as 45°C in the summer – especially in years when animal numbers have peaked relative to forage supplies.

The $12.5 million investment for LAMP improved rural livelihoods and food security in select areas in Mongolia through investments in enhanced productivity, market access, and diversification of livestock-based production systems. These goals were achieved by removing a set of closely linked constraints in market access, including price-quality relationships and livestock production (animal health, animal breeding, genetics, and nutrition). The project also provided TA to develop human and organizational capacities in animal health control, breed improvement, feeding and nutrition, value addition to livestock products (meat, fiber, dairy), and horticulture production.