The trainings were conducted by local experts for a group of 10 felt producers in Arkhangai and focused on stitching techniques as well as sewing garments.

4 representatives of the cluster group in Uvs performed a training on good practices of sea buckthorn cultivation in Khovd on the 25th of January 2020 with 23 participants and in Bayan-Ulgii on the 27th of January with 26 participants. The trainings lasted one day each and contained the following topics: Functioning of a cluster group, selecting appropriate varieties, soil preparation, appropriate use of pesticides as well as storing of berries and products made from sea buckthorn berries.

The analysis was conducted in order to identify the main marketing channels of sea buckthorn berries and finished goods in Uvs such as oil and juice made from the ber-ries.

This booklet contains valuable information on important aspects of sea buckthorn cul-tivation, such as identifying pests and diseases, and an updated version of the farm activity log. It was developed by a local agronomist.

The sea buckthorn trial plot and nursery was further supported with drip irrigation equipment and the construction of an additional well. The trial plot conducts research on the characteristics of various sea buckthorn varieties. It also serves as a supplier of high-quality seedlings to growers in Uvs Aimak and beyond.

The sea buckthorn cluster group in Uvs formed a cooperative with the purpose of es-tablishing and operating a model farm for sea buckthorn cultivation which will be fully compliant with GlobalGAP standards. In its first phase the model farm will have a size of 16 hectares.

The policy statement was published by MNCCI and the National Wool Association and includes various suggestions related to the modernization of the Mongolian wool industry.

ProValue conducted two trainings on electric sheep shearing on the 29^th and 30^th of June 2020 with 49 participants from 6 soums. The training was carried out by a Mongolia master shearer in the Centre for Sheep Shearing and Animal Hygiene, Erdenebulgan Soum.

The Centre for Sheep Shearing and Animal Hygiene was opened in Erdenebulgan Soum in June 2017. The center is managed by the “White Gold” cooperative. In the fourth year of its operation an increase in the use of its services was recorded. 8,230 sheep (7,880 in 2019) of 52 herder families (48 in 2019) were shorn and 6,380 sheep (4,300 in 2019) were dipped as a measure against parasite infections. 11 persons have worked in the center during shearing season in June and July.

Jackets made from fine sheep wool felt produced by the Wool White Gold cooperative of Arkhangai with the support of ProValue were exhibited at the Innatex Trade Fair for Sustainable Textiles in Germany. Due to restrictions owed to the covid-19 pandemic, attendance of potential buyers and resellers was lower than in previous years. Still, the garments from Arkhangai met significant interest on part of potential resellers.

The National Reference Laboratory for Food Safety based in Ulaanbaatar conducted analyses of 27 samples of sea buckthorn berries from 13 companies around Ulaangom. A total of 14 parameters regarding nutritional content, trace elements and vitamins were analyzed.

The administration of Uvs Aimak and the sea buckthorn cluster group of Uvs conducted the fourth Sea Buckthorn Festival in Ulaangom.

The training was attended by 21 representatives of local sea buckthorn processing companies.

The plant will be run by the sea buckthorn cluster group as a joint company. It is expected to start by mid-2021.

More than 120 participants attended the sea buckthorn cluster forum representing companies and government organizations. They discussed the government's policy in the berries sector, the export status of sea buckthorn products and export possibilities of Mongolian sea buckthorn products to EU.