In spring 2026, the Khulurt Primary Herder Household Association in Terkh Bagh, Khangai Soum, Arkhangai Aimag, submitted a project proposal entitled “Documentation and Community-Based Conservation of the Traditionally Protected Untaa Mountain Area” under the ICCA Global Support Initiative (ICCA-GSI) of the UNDP Small Grants Programme (SGP).

The project was successfully selected for funding and has been under implementation since August 2026.

As part of the project, the Khulurt Primary Herder Household Association organized a three-day theoretical and practical training on dairy processing technologies for herder women from 12–14 October 2026.

A total of 17 women from three herder women's groups—Untaa, Khulurt, and Murun— participated in the training. They strengthened their knowledge and practical skills in producing high-quality, hygienic, and value-added dairy products from yak milk.

The training also aimed to create opportunities for increasing household income and improving herder livelihoods through better dairy processing practices.

Learning to Produce Seven Types of Yak Milk Products

In addition to strengthening their understanding of milk quality, hygiene, and food safety, participants gained hands-on experience in producing the following dairy products:

• Soft white cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Full-fat and low-fat curd
• Sour cream
• Yogurt
• Traditional Mongolian milk curds (Eezgii)
• Clarified butter (Ghee)

The training combined traditional knowledge and practices of herder women with modern dairy processing technologies, helping increase the value of locally available resources.

Why Is This Important?

By applying their newly acquired knowledge and skills to household dairy production, herder women can strengthen their economic participation, diversify household income sources, and increase the added value of their products.

Importantly, improved dairy processing offers opportunities to increase household income without increasing livestock numbers or placing additional pressure on rangelands. This approach promotes more efficient use of existing livestock resources while supporting environmentally  friendly and sustainable livelihoods.One of the greatest achievements for the Green Gold Center is seeing primary herder household associations independently develop project proposals, successfully mobilize external funding, and work collectively toward their own development.

We warmly congratulate the members of the Khulurt Primary Herder Household Association on this achievement and wish them continued success in their future activities!

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