Erdenejargal Tumurbaatar
Project Manager
Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism in Khuvsgul Lake National Park, Mongolia
Young Leaders Program (’05)
Please tell us about your career path so far. What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?
I started my career as the growing manager at the only state-owned greenhouse farm in Ulaanbaatar which was built with the technical and financial assistance of Bulgaria during the Soviet era. The farm was designed to supply fresh produce year round mainly to the Russian expatriates working in Mongolia. In 1993, around the time when the transition from the centrally planned economy to the market economy began, I started working with Israeli greenhouse experts to implement a project funded by MASHAV, an Israeli foreign aid program, to introduce cutting edge cultivation technology to the greenhouse including renovation of seeds as well as irrigation methods.
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead the team and pioneer the effort to change the conventional hand watering system into a modern drip irrigation system in Mongolia. This project was also the first in the country to renovate seeds and improve growing practices with expertise from Israel and the Netherlands.
Meeting with Erka and her colleagues from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture during a GRIPS delegation visit headed by then Vice-President Prof. Oyama in 2009.
It was a challenging time for the agricultural sector as it had to adjust to a market system in which the companies had to sell their products on their own instead of channeling them through a centrally planned system. Vegetables, tomatoes and cucumbers had become part of the diet of Mongolians despite their nomadic background but such products were extremely expensive due to high production costs. So much so that the farms struggled to sell our products not only in Ulaanbaatar but also in Ulan-Ude in the Buryatia Republic of Russia.
It was also difficult for me to persuade our growers to follow the instructions and apply the methods because no one believed that a drop of water would be sufficient to maintain the crop growth. However, thanks to my newly hired growers, the drip irrigation system and other new and advanced growing methods were fully recognized by the growers and farms around Mongolia. After successfully completing my tasks at the greenhouse, I began contemplating a career change and decided to transition into the public service. I landed a position at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture developing relations with Asian countries.
In 2002, a year after joining the Ministry, I was promoted to senior officer as appreciation for my outstanding performance. During that one year period, I facilitated the signing of a cooperation agreement between the agricultural ministries of Mongolia, the Republic of Korea and China. In addition, I coordinated the Mongolian agriculture minister’s visits to these countries which built the foundation for long-term cooperation.
I was also responsible for overseeing the Japanese development aid program known as 2KR to Mongolia, which included food aid and agricultural machinery. Subsequently, we started seeing Japan as not only an aid provider but also a partner to bring technology and expertise to the food and agriculture sector. The cooperation MOU between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Mongolia and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry of Japan was followed by an official visit of the Japanese minister in 2006 leading to the creation of a regular working mechanism in a technical committee between the two ministries. It was a challenging experience and I learned a lot during these years of building and reviving cooperation frameworks with many Asian countries including Japan, India, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Erka speaking at a session of an FAO Commission Meeting on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
In 2004, I applied for the Young Leaders Program at GRIPS and was accepted. I completed the program and returned home with a strong passion to do more. In 2008, I was promoted to Director of the International Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry and worked for seven years in this position. My career in the public sector had given me an opportunity to engage in many impactful assignments and tackle various tasks to expand bilateral and trilateral cooperation with various agencies and organizations such as WB, ADB, UN FAO, IFAD, JICA, KOICA, SDC and more.
Eventually, I was chosen to represent East Asia and the Pacific at the Steering Committee of the Global Agricultural and Food Security Program (GAFSP) from 2010 to 2015. The GAFSP is a multilateral mechanism to assist in the implementation of pledges made by the G20 in Pittsburgh in 2009 to improve income, food and nutrition security in low-income countries by boosting agricultural productivity. I worked as the lead negotiator for the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) chapter in Mongolia’s only FTA or EPA, concluded with Japan in 2015. I also led many negotiations in signing protocols of veterinary and phytosanitary requirements on exporting and importing agricultural products between our two countries. I served as the focal point and national coordinator of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture of the UNFAO. All the experiences I have accumulated throughout the time I worked at the Ministry created a new chapter for my career.
You are currently working as Project Manager of Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism in Khuvsgul Lake National Park. Please tell us more about the project.
Lake Khuvsgul contains 70% of the freshwater reservoir of Mongolia and over 1% of the world’s freshwater reservoir. Khuvsgul Lake’s largely pristine state is the foundation for livelihoods and tourism but uncontrolled sewage and litter threaten the habitat. Tourism also presents a major income generating opportunity in the Khuvsgul Lake National Park (KLNP) to support local livelihoods yet few residents are benefiting because of the limited resources to develop tourism goods and services.
Mongolia is unique in terms of its national parks in that indigenous nomads have been living from generation to generation. Grazing of livestock in the park has occurred for centuries and provides meat, wool, and dairy products for residents. Livestock grazing will continue to be a principal livelihood for many residents in the KLNP and buffer zone, especially those that graze their livestock in remote areas far from tourism-related opportunities.
With Mr. Koichi Hasegawa, Member of the ADB Board of Directors, accompanied by Ms. Yolanda Fernandez Lommen, ADB Country Director for Mongolia during the visit to project site.
The project is grant financed by ADB/Japan Poverty Reduction Fund and implemented by ADB and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia between 2016 and 2019. The project is among the first in Mongolia to address the linked issues of livelihoods, tourism, and waste management in a protected area. It covers support for the creation of community-based sustainable tourism activities, improved waste management services, diversification of local incomes and the establishment of grazing zones for herders to better manage the pastureland in the restricted zone. From the title of the project, it is obvious that our main target is local residents and herders. However, project is supporting the Khuvsgul Lake National Park (KLNP) administration to better manage the park, especially to improve current land use practices for tourism and livestock and improve waste management while addressing improvement in local livelihoods.
We take an inclusive approach in whatever we do and strive to involve all stakeholders in planning, designing and implementation of activities including co-management of tourism, waste management, pasture monitoring, sustainable use and community-led revolving funds for livelihood improvement, particularly building and promoting community ownership of the park and local entrepreneurship. We are promoting a co-managed KLNP management council as an umbrella coordination mechanism to manage the park.
We also set up a co-managed tourism sub council under it, where all key tourism stakeholders including the KLNP administration, tourist and ger camps, handicraft makers and local guides get together to discuss and plan activities beneficial to them. We are coordinating our project activities with other similar projects funded by SDC, JAICAF, and World Vision.
An ecotourism training program is developed and conducted by the TRC tourism consulting firm from New Zealand and the Khuvsgul lake water quality monitoring program was successfully carried out by the Mongolian consulting firm, Natural Sustainable.
The indigenous people deeply care about their living environment and nature. Therefore, we have selected 8 teams comprising of 28 local residents to handle the waste management around the lake. We are training them to become ambassadors for raising awareness. We have enabled them to sustain their operation even after the completion of the project by managing the public camping grounds and earn income from it for the next two years.
We have built several prototype eco toilets that are suitable for remote, cold and fragile areas in order to demonstrate environmentally friendly and low cost designs that meet the needs of tourist camps and local residents along the lake shoreline.
With H.E.Takaoka Masato, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Mongolia during his visit to KLNP.
The project helped set up six community managed revolving funds to support household-scale enterprises. A revolving fund committee of seven members has been selected by vote of the local community representatives each representing various community groups. The committee operates the fund with the support of a full-time fund manager hired by the committee. The revolving fund disburses micro credits to local herders and residents.
The project is providing various skill development trainings on milk processing, vegetable growing, bee farming, handicraft making and more.
As project manager, my main responsibilities are to assist the agencies responsible in the execution and implementation of the grant, monitor and report project implementation, communicate with ADB, ensure timely grant utilization and smooth implementation of the project in accordance with respective agreements and ADB guidelines. I oversee the project accounts, guide and supervise the PMU and PIU consultants, administer project operations by ensuring timely execution of the implementation plan and achieving targets within the design and monitoring framework. Other duties include the building of productive relationships with all key stakeholders of local administration, people, NGOs, other donors and projects.
In your current capacity, what do you see as the main opportunities and challenges for poverty reduction and improving of livelihoods in Mongolia over the course of the next five to ten years?
Everybody wishes to live happily in a safe environment, earn a decent living and have access to good social services. The capital city and the two other major cities cannot accommodate all the citizens of Mongolia. People living in rural areas need jobs and good financial and social services. Therefore, we need to create a favorable environment for doing business and maintaining their livelihoods in rural areas instead of migrating to urban cities.
Challenges in reducing poverty will remain in the next years due to economic difficulties and climate change. Thus, I have come to believe that supporting the community based eco-tourism development, community ownership and application of co-management approaches in waste and pasture management as well as in micro financing are important.
One of the opportunities to make this happen is to support community based eco-tourism in all regions of Mongolia. What we offer for tourists, both foreign and domestic, is a rich and beautiful natural habitat and culture. As the number of tourists increase, we need to provide more trainings and micro financing to help the local residents to produce better products that would meet the needs of those visitors. Although some of these are seasonal market opportunities, they can still make a huge difference in generating better income for the locals. Also, niche products and cluster development such as selling products online through Facebook or other media-based marketing tools can be made possible in the future in remote rural areas.
As we are piloting many activities to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods in rural areas, at the end of the project timeline, we will be giving a policy recommendation to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia for further replication and scaling up.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work? And what have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far?
Lack of skill and capacity and lack of communication have been the biggest challenges that I have faced in my career so far. Kind words and appreciation of colleagues from home and abroad have been charging me with energy to contribute more. I remember that when I was working as an agronomist in the greenhouse, having good harvest and easing the hard work of growers was the most rewarding aspect. My career in the public service gave me an opportunity to create impact and I was recognized by awards from the Government and other ministries like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In regard to my current project specifically, remoteness, lack of infrastructure and poor road conditions to reach the site are some of the challenges. However, seeing the changes in people’s lives, mindset and attitudes make it all worth it. The gratitude expressed by the beneficiaries is very rewarding to me.
What led you to GRIPS/GSPS? What is the most important thing you got out of your studies here, and how has your experience at GRIPS prepared you for future endeavours?
I got to know about GRIPS for the first thanks to the ministry leadership that recommended it to me. As I became more acquainted with the program, I became to believe that this was a great opportunity for me. The most important takeaways from studying at GRIPS have been opening my mind, learning from other fellow students and learning about policy making in Japan and other countries.
My experience studying in GRIPS has given me the ambition and courage to challenge myself in the public service.
Have you had any involvement, professional or otherwise, with Japan since your graduation?
Erka with her Japanese counterparts during the Mongolia-Japan Agricultural Ministries Technical Committee Meeting in Tokyo, October 2012.
Ever since I started my career, interestingly enough, many of the big changes in my life and in my career have been associated with Japan and the support of the Japanese Government. I went to Japan for the first time in 1994 as one of the trainees in a program initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture of Mongolia and Shariki village of Aomori prefecture to learn about growing technologies of rice and other vegetables. It encouraged me to pursue a degree and career in agronomy. Subsequently, receiving a scholarship at GRIPS helped me to transition into the public service.
As I mentioned earlier, I was involved in many negotiations, official visits and meetings in deepening the cooperation between the Mongolia and Japan. That included technical committee meetings which were organized reciprocally every two years, several rounds of EPA negotiations, study tours and JICA training for project counterparts. I would especially like to point out the experience I had in managing a JICA funded project which was implemented between 2006 and 2009 to support integrated crop and livestock farming in Mongolia.
We promoted a close cooperation with Hokkaido on agricultural practices since we share a similar climate and agriculture, as well as with Shizuoka prefecture to bring their expertise and investment to Mongolia in the industrial sector.
How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life? And what is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?
I try my best to balance between work and personal life but it is not that easy, of course, when you are accustomed to devoting almost your entire life to the public service. After work I rush home to cook for my son and my husband. During the weekend, I prefer to stay home with my family cooking and doing housework. I enjoy socializing with friends and volunteering at the ice skating association of Mongolia, National Centre for Productivity and so on. I like travelling both internationally and domestically. There are many more things that I would love to do. However, my current job as a full-time project manager keeps me busy and does not leave much spare time to do all those things.
What are some of your fondest memories of your time spent at GRIPS? And what do you miss about Japan?
Celebrating Erka’s birthday in a Mongolian restaurant with fellow GRIPS students and Sumo wrestler Yokozuna Harumafuji.
Among my fondest memories are the transition between the old campus (in Wakamatsu-cho) to the new one in Roppongi, life at TIEC dormitory, grocery market, parties with friends, field visits, sakura blossoming and food, of course. I miss Odaiba, its surrounding areas of Science museum, Aqua city and Japanese food a lot. Whenever I go to Japan, the first thing I do or recommend to my friends is to visit Odaiba.
If you could give one piece of advice to anyone considering studying at GRIPS what would it be?
I would highly recommend GRIPS to anyone. Ever since I returned to Mongolia, I have recommended it to many of my colleagues. The school has an excellent reputation and is well known. You will not only have a chance to study in a great learning environment with diverse and passionate students from all over the world but you will also experience Japan by commuting through the most gorgeous and interesting parts of Tokyo between Odaiba and Roppongi. Therefore, take the time to get to know your teachers, your fellow students and the local culture. You will build a lasting friendship with some amazing people and a professional network that will span across many countries.
How would you like to maintain involved with the School? What do you expect from GRIPS as an alumnus and do you have any suggestions on how to further utilize the GRIPS alumni network?
I view Japan as one of the closest third neighbors of Mongolia. There are many lessons we can learn from Japan especially their policy of protecting local markets and farmers. The world is experiencing many challenges and there is a lot that we can do to save time and resources by sharing our experiences through the GRIPS alumni network. Recently, I had a chance to listen to a presentation given by Prof. Atsushi Sunami, Vice President of GRIPS, on the Japanese government policy of Society 5.0 and Abenomics 2017. It was really interesting because it does not matter whether you are from a developed or a developing nation. We are all undergoing similar challenges such as aging populations, lack of employment, digital transformation and so on. I really want to stay involved with the school in the future and learn more.
