The grasslands and steppes of Mongolia are home to over 40 million head of livestock, and more than 400,000 nomads. 1 Animal herding is the most important sector of Mongolian agriculture, providing almost two-thirds of the agricultural production (meat, cashmere, wool, camel hair, leather, etc). It provides a source of income and food, and a mode of transportation for a significant part of the population. Besides, it is an important part of Mongolia’s exports.

Nomadic Lifestyle 

Mongolian herders are nomadic: they migrate around vast steppes, raising horses, sheep, goats, cattle, and camels, 2 as well as yaks. Most herders move between four to six times a year in search of pastures.  A ger (yurt, or round felt tent) is a herder’s most prized possession and nearly all herders live in gers.  A ger is heated by a stove standing in the center, fueled by dried livestock dung, firewood, or coal. The staple food of the herders is meat, supplemented by a variety of dairy products and wheat flour. In the summer, the herders’ diet consistschiefly of dairy products.

Though the nomadic herders with their livestock are the backbone of the economy of the country,their families continue to face challenges like isolation, long distances, and harsh weather. Because the herders’ income is often small,many herders’ children leave school early to work with the herds; this applies especially to the boys in the families.     

Recent Winter Disasters           

Mongolia is experiencing a severe dzud, where a dry summer resulted in a lack of grass and therefore hay, followed by continuous heavy snowfall combined with extreme cold. This has been the fiercest winter in living  memory. Some herder families have lost all of their livestock. So far, over 6 million livestock have perished.