Description

Abstract: In 2006, a collaborative pilot project was initiated in Mongolia to test the applicability of developing herder alliances based on the model of North American rural farm and ranch cooperatives. These alliances would be a conduit for the flow of livestock early warning information from the Gobi Forage project, and provide critical services to alliance members. A generic framework for organizing and implementing herder alliances was developed. The Bayanhongor herder alliance was initiated where by electing a board of directors, establishing a constitution, and obtaining status as a legal entity in Mongolia. From this pilot project we learned that: 1) a critical mass of producers is needed to effectively initiate an alliance, 2) an existing infrastructure of technical experts/extension agents is required to raise initial awareness of the alliance and facilitate the recruitment of livestock producers, 3) the initiation of an alliance requires a sponsoring organization to provide startup resources and capital because funds from initial membership shares are not adequate, 4) help is needed from government or NGO organizations to facilitate and connect the alliance to terminal markets and 5) effort is needed to dispel the notion that the herder alliance in only a marketing middleman.