The Mountain Partnership, under the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation (UN FAO), supported by the Small Grants Programme of the Global Environment Facility (SGP / GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched a scholarship programme that aims to support innovative business ventures within agricultural and textile value chains. This programme seeks to enhance the adaption and resilience of local communities in mountainous and island areas through technical assistance and capacity building.
The Business Incubator & Accelerator (BIA) for Mountainous & Island Regions programme is being implemented in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Fiji, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Peru, the Philippines and Uganda. Over 100 manufacturing organisations from these countries are participating in the programme, including six enterprises and cooperatives from Mongolia.
In Mongolia, the SFA is collaborating with the Agricultural Cooperative of Mongolia (AGRI-COOP / NAMAC), the Environment & Development Association JASIL and the Saraana Nature Conservation Foundation to support and empower local cooperatives and herder groups that work with these organisations.
As part of the programme, in May 2024, the SFA Mongolia team and the NART Training & Research Center provided training, practical sessions and technical assistance on the requirements and standards of the cashmere market and on producing high-quality cashmere. Participants of these training sessions include the “Sanjin Bogd” cooperative in the Bayanuul soum of the Gobi-Altai province and the “Karatau” herder group in the Deluun soum of the Bayan-Ulgii province.
Continuing with the training sessions and providing technical assistance, on the 15th of June 2024, the SFA Mongolia team organised a Cashmere Sorting & Preparation Skills Training alongside SFA Good Practice Training sessions for herders of the “Bulgiin Undarga Devshil” and “Yandag Kher Kharuul” cooperatives in Bayandelger soum in the Tuv province.
By participating in these training sessions, herder households have learnt to adopt international best practices and incorporate them into their daily lives, which is crucial for the responsible preparation and supply of high-quality cashmere to international standards.
Translated by Tamir Bud
SFA COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
5 July 2024
Original posted on 20 June 2024: https://sustainablefibre.mn/archives/8195