Ulaanbaatar
A farmer exchanges vegetables for livestock animals
PoliticsUlaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ A resident of Delgherkhangai soum, Dundgobi aimag (central Gobi province) Kh.Bazarsukh runs family cultivation business and exchanges his harvest for livestock. His family has been running crop farming since 1982 on their 2 ha of agricultural land, where trees are planted on one ha and the rest is used for planting potatoes and other vegetable and harvesting 6-7 tons each year.
“- Running crop farming business in Gobi is tough job, as much more care and attention are needed to grow vegetable than in Khangai region (forested region). We estimate that one kilo of potato should be sold at least MNT1000, however in whole autumn potatoes from Selenge aimag are sold at MNT600-700 here. Because this imposes burden for us, we decided to sell our vegetable in exchange of animal” said Kh.Bazarsukh.
As herders are often hit by lack of cash, bartering is suitable for both sides. The family starts selling its crop as soon as harvesting begins and all vegetables are sold out when the harvesting finishes. Their crops are also sold to kindergartens, hospitals and schools.
