Food Security in Mongolia: A System Innovation Perspective

Mongolian territory is larger than the combined area of the UK, France, Germany and Italy. The Mongolian population of 2.84 million (2013) live in a vast land with high concentration in cities, creating a low density of population in the country (1.7 people per sq. km). Most Mongolian households and communities in rural areas are isolated. Of the 80 % of the whole territory covered with grassland and arid areas, less than 1 % is available for the cultivation of crops (FAO, UNICEF et al. 2007). The poor transport infrastructure and extreme weather conditions create further challenges for the food and agriculture industry. Most Mongolians still have a traditional nomadic pastoral nature. Most Mongolians across generations have a deep understanding of traditional animal herding and traditional food-processing practice, including slaughtering, processing of meat and storing of food through cold seasons. Only 7 % of milk production and 3 % of meat production follow an industrialised system (FAO, UNICEF et al. 2007). Such low levels of modern food processing create several issues in food safety.