Evaluation of the German-Mongolian Cooperation Project for Sustainable Agriculture (DMKNL): Progress and Challenges in Sustainable Agriculture in Mongolia

The German-Mongolian Cooperation Project for Sustainable Agriculture (DMKNL) aimed to promote sustainable agriculture in Mongolia and improve the competitiveness of the Mongolian agricultural and food sector. The political partners of the project were the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia (MELL). A consortium consisting of IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH (lead), AFC Agriculture & Finance Consultants, and DLG International recently implemented the project. The main goals of the DMKNL include intensifying the exchange on agricultural topics between Germany and Mongolia, introducing good agricultural practices in crop production, promoting sustainable and climate-adapted farming methods, and developing advisory services for agriculture. The project, which entered its fourth implementation phase in January 2022, encompasses several key areas, including agricultural legal advice, the promotion of selected institutions, and the development of professional competencies.

In the summer of 2024, EarthYield Advisories evaluated several components of the DMKNL. This evaluation examined how the project supported key institutions of sustainable agriculture in Mongolia and the extent to which the development of professional competencies was supported. The current state of development of system-relevant institutions and the respective contribution of the DMKNL were described and assessed. The evaluation investigated how these institutions have developed organizationally, strategically, and in terms of their services. Additionally, it was determined to what extent the professional and methodological competencies imparted by the DMKNL are applied in the professional activities of Mongolian experts and generate added value.