UN Joint Programme

Zavkhan Herders Learn Cooperative Management

Training of Trainers of “My Coop - Managing Agricultural Cooperative” was organized in Uliastai soum, Zavkhan province between 25-29 October as part of the ILO-led UN Joint Programme (UNJP) “Extending Social Protection to Herders with Enhanced Shock Responsiveness.” Thirty members of six cooperatives and their leaders, and teachers of Lifelong Education Centres of Otgon, Ider, Durvuljin, Ikh-Uul, and Tes soums in Zavkhan province attended the training.

MyCoop (English and Mongolian) is a training package and programme on the management of agricultural cooperatives. It has been designed for existing and potential managers of agricultural cooperatives and members involved in managerial tasks to strengthen the management of agricultural cooperatives and provide guidance to cater for member satisfaction, business opportunities, and social considerations.

The purpose of the training was to prepare the participants as local trainers on cooperative on the four modules of the MyCoop package, including basics of agricultural cooperatives, cooperative service provision, supply of farm inputs, and cooperative marketing.

Herders and cooperative members and leaders are during the training

The training was structured to engage participants and encourage them to participate in different activities such as teamwork, exercise, and independent tasks. The participating cooperatives presented their actions and outcomes during the training and shared their experience with the other cooperatives. In addition to that, participants took quizzes to test and reinforce their knowledge about cooperative before and after the training. At the end of the training, participants shared their takeaways and practiced their teaching skills. All participants received the MyCoop package along with the trainer’s handbook.

The training is one of the UNJP various activities implemented through the collaboration with the National Association of Mongolian Agricultural Cooperatives on capacity building of cooperatives and increasing social insurance coverage of herders. The NAMAC has been playing a significant role in increasing agricultural production efficiency, improving the living standards of the rural population, and developing educational and cultural welfare for its 150,000 members in 21 provinces.

As a result of the training, the UNJP expects that the participants will have a better understanding of the basics of agricultural cooperatives, including proper management of cooperatives, the importance of effective services to its members, and addressing significant challenges and get equipped with the necessary teaching skills.