President Ts.Elbegdorj listened to citizens’ and civil
representatives’ opinions and heard the problems of  milk and vegetable producers during his visit
to Songinokhairkhan district, Batsumber and Bayanchandmana soums of Tuv aimag
last Thursday.

He visited Polivit Co., which has planted seabuckthorn in
Udleg in Batsumber. The plant is suitable for the local climate, has nutritional
value, and is environment- friendly as it gives nitrogen to the soil and leads
to the growth of more grass, Honored Mechanic B.Balgan and Honored Agronomist
B.Laagan told the President. Elbegdorj hoped planting seabuckthorn will renew the
soil and help halt desertification.

Polivit expects 100-120 tons from the 40 hectares where
it has planted seabuckthorn and to get 18-24 kilos of berries from a bush, even
though the long thorns make plucking difficult. The Director of the company,
S.Purev, said that the company has created about 100 jobs and the plantation did
not require any excavation of soil. The company has 8 greenhouses and the
President saw the fast growing seedlings. On being shown seabuckthorn products,
Elbegdorj said they would fetch higher prices if the technology used in
countries like France and Holland could be applied. Investment costs could be
recovered in as early as two years and Mongolia could become the world’s main
seabuckthorn producer.

The President recalled his conversation with a farmer in the
Gobi region who felt 200 seabuckthorn bushes gave more money than 200 goats. Studies
indicate that a 10,000-hectare plantation could yield the same amount of profit
as the Erdenet copper factory. He wanted the Government to support seabuckthorn
farming in all soums and aimags. Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Minister
T.Badamjunai, who was with the President, said that the Government already
provided support to commercial growers. 

The President handed over to Polivit a certificate of its successful
participation in Project Seabuckthorn.