It started with two cows – the success story of an organic farmer from Mongolia

Mother of two, Enkhtuya lives with her family in northern Mongolia. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, it seemed almost impossible to support the family. Since she could not find a permanent job in her home country, she went abroad for two years to earn money for her family, and after two years she had saved enough to return home. Enkhtuya bought two cows and started selling milk and some dairy products. In addition, she and her husband created a small vegetable garden.

Friends told Enkhtuya about an Adventist Development and Disaster Relief (ADRA) project, and at a meeting with a cooperative, she heard about organic farming for the first time. Curious, she decided to take part in several training courses. She received organic seeds and fertilizers and began to apply what she had learned.

With a support loan from a project fund, Enkhtuya bought greenhouses. The vegetable garden became a small farm, and she planted cabbage, beans, potatoes, celery, parsley, onions, garlic, and chili. According to ADRA Germany, she harvested a total of 42 tons in the first year.

As ADRA Germany reports, Enkhtuya was named “best organic farmer of the year” by the Mongolian Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry. This encouraged them to do more organic farming in the future.

 “We all have to work together to promote organic farming,” she emphasized, referring to her company.

Enkhtuya’s family will also benefit from the increased income; “Some of our horticultural profits go towards my son’s tuition fees,” she explains. “I also want to expand my organic field and learn more about organic farming and its certification.”

In northern Mongolia, small business-holders have formed cooperatives to produce organic food. They are supported in their project by ADRA and other organizations. Farmers learn about new cultivation methods, receive modern work tools, and organic seeds to make the transition to organic farming easier. With ADRA’s help, the first certification bodies for organic products were developed and sales markets were found.

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