Managing officials from the agriculture and light industry sectors met in the Government House on Monday. Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Minister T.Badamjunai, Deputy Minister J.Saule and 300 delegates attended the meeting, where they discussed sector issues and future plans. The biggest issue was the establishment of an exchange that would facilitate the trading of animal products and improve the living standards of herders.

Several draft laws that would impact agricultural development were submitted to Parliament in 2011, one of which was a draft law to establish such an exchange. Parliament passed it, but there has been no concrete action taken to implement the law.

Some agricultural achievements were noted, such as a wheat harvest that met 100 percent of domestic demand. The Government has implemented several policies to support agricultural development, including a bonus to farmers for selling wheat, and an import tax exemption for agricultural products.

Minister T.Badamjunai noted the Government supports the agriculture sector but he noted that some planned works have not been implemented, such as agricultural development in the eastern and more remote regions.

Delegates noted that the Government has increased capital allocation to the agriculture sector:  MNT 234.8 was spent on the sector in 2011 and a Government bond issue of MNT 300 billion and a MNT 320 billion loan from China will be allocated to the sector in 2012.

The ministry said 33,600 jobs have been generated in the sector, and delegates underlined that the agriculture sector will be an important sector in the country’s development.