INSTABILITY AND POTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF PASTORAL CATTLE BREEDING IN MONGOLIA

DOI 10.32651/262-139

Issue № 2, 2026, article № 19, pages 139-147

Section: Foreign news

Language: Russian

Original language title: НЕСТАБИЛЬНОСТЬ И ПОТЕНЦИАЛ УСТОЙЧИВОГО РАЗВИТИЯ ПАСТБИЩНОГО СКОТОВОДСТВА МОНГОЛИИ

Keywords: PASTORALISM, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, PASTURE DEGRADATION, CARRYING CAPACITY, TRADITIONAL NOMADIC PASTORALISM, COOPERATIVES, PUBLIC POLICY

Abstract: The article systematizes the complex of problems of traditional pastoral cattle breeding, their classification of traditional pastoralism, classifying them by environmental, socio-economic, institutional and personnel, industrial and market aspects, by type of pastoral farm, and by degree of significance. The central problem is recognized as the fundamental institutional conflict between public ownership of pastures and private ownership of livestock, leading to the «tragedy of the commons», as Garrett Hardin puts it, when the rational desire of each individual pastoralist to maximize herd size leads to a collectively destructive outcome - the degradation of a common resource. The authors emphasize the importance of pastoralism for Mongolia, which remains the foundation of the economy, food security, and the preservation of the cultural heritage of nomadic peoples. Currently, in Mongolia, many features of traditional nomadic pastoralism have been preserved, so pastoralism will remain a pastoral system for an indefinite period. Key areas for sustainable pastoralism development are identified: the implementation of a collective pasture management system with clearly defined boundaries and user responsibilities; a revision of state support criteria aligned with the principles of environmental and economic sustainability; the active development of various forms of cooperation; technological modernization based on satellite monitoring and digital platforms; and improvement of the legal framework. According to the authors, the results have practical significance for the Russian territories bordering Mongolia, particularly the Republic of Buryatia, as the development of pastoralism is one of the most important activities for the population of cross-border territories and serves as a connecting factor for preserving traditions and economic experience in modern conditions.

Authors: Luvsandorzh Oiuun , Sangadieva Iraida Gomboevna, SHobdoeva Nadezhda Valerevna, Polozova Tatiana Vladimirovna