ROLE OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSED

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry organized a consultative meeting themed ‘Agricultural Science, Technology and Innovation’ on December 12. The meeting aimed to discuss the current state of agriculture, a pillar sector of the Mongolian economy, and science-based development of the sector. According to B.Batzorig, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, who delivered an opening speech at the meeting, 53.9 percent of the total workforce of Mongolia works in agricultural sector, which produces 31.2 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. “We are working towards advancing these figures. The core of Government policy on agriculture will be introduction of technological innovation to agricultural sector and improving the capacity of academic institutions working in this area,” the Minister said. Agricultural scientists in Mongolia has produced 96 sorts of seed, 14 of potatoes, 39 of vegetables and 16 sorts of fruit newly in recent years. As for animal husbandry, one breed of horse, three breeds of cattle and camel, 22 breeds of sheep and four breeds of goat have been newly introduced by the scientists, who also invented 64 types of domestic animal vaccines and 72 types of drugs. Despite of these figures, raw materials dominate Mongolia’s export with semi-processed products making up only 13.8 percent and high technology products 1.63 percent. The meeting attendees emphasized this fact and the need to learn from other countries’ experience in successfully applying scientific inventions in agricultural production and introduce advanced technologies. Kh.Aminaa