Following some of the worst winters in the history of Mongolian agriculture, during which around 8 million heads of cattle died due to a lack of feed, the country is bracing for a new feed crisis ahead.
Severe drought hits Mongolia
Mongolia suffers substantial losses in harvest as a result of a severe drought, which affected nearly 30% of its territory, Tumur-Uyaagiin Zhambaltseren, state secretary of the Agricultural Ministry, told local press.
Harsh winter looms
As a result of a loss of feed crops and damage to pastures, the country is braced for a harsh winter, with the situation expected to be particularly tense in central and western regions, Sainbuyangiin Amarsaikhan, deputy prime minister and chairman of the state emergency commission, admitted during a recent government meeting.
Below-average harvest expected
Due to the dry summer and abnormal heat, the harvest is expected to be significantly below average, the government officials admitted.
Second year of hardship
Mongolian agriculture is grappling with harsh weather conditions for the second year in a row. In 2024, massive damage was incurred by a climate anomaly called Dzud, which is a severe, slow-onset cold winter condition where heavy snow and ice cover the ground, preventing animals from accessing pasture.
Massive livestock losses
Between August 2023 and July 2024, a staggering 8 million heads of livestock – approximately 12.5% of the total population – perished in Mongolia due to a lack of feed, as estimated by the government. This led to the near-destruction of several thousand small farming businesses.
International aid steps in
Several international humanitarian organisations, including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), have stepped in to help. They have carried out humanitarian operations, delivering food to the most affected regions, in a bid to alleviate the impact of the crisis
Government restricts feed exports
In a bid to alleviate the crisis, the Mongolian government has taken measures such as banning feed exports.
Climate change impact
A protracted feed industry crisis in Mongolia is believed to be only a piece of a bigger puzzle of growing impact from climate change on agriculture in Central Asia, where the average temperatures are rising ahead of the global average.
Rising temperatures threaten agriculture
According to various projections, rising temperatures are projected to significantly impact agricultural productivity in Central Asia, leading to potential harvest losses.
Future crop losses expected
For instance, by 2030, Kazakhstan could potentially see a 30% loss in crop yields due to climate change, as projected by the United Nations Development Program.
Extreme weather risks grow
Rising temperatures, increased frequency of extreme weather events like droughts and heatwaves, and changes in precipitation patterns are expected to negatively affect crop yields and livestock production, according to the UN.
