Speaker D.Demberel told the western region state conference in Khovd town of Khovd aimag on how the Mongol Livestock program could contribute to the development of the countryside that herders’ contribution to Mongolian society and national development was inestimably significant. The program, he said, was aimed at providing better farming techniques, improving the health of livestock and increasing production, processing and export of farm products. The conference was held on Sunday and Monday.

Demberel said the herders’ economy could be strengthened only by using the latest methods to improve the quality of the herd and for this there had to be more veterinarians in the country. The Mongol Livestock program has already led to every soum having a veterinary center with three employees. The state budget has allocated MNT24.8 billion for the total program and every soum has got MNT60 million to implement the program. He reminded the participants that herders do not have to pay any income tax and also do not pay anything for the pastureland they use.

The Government and Parliament are committed to improving the herders’ lot, he said.