To gain credibility and experience at policy level and in knowledge management CODEP planned field level interventions in different sub-sectors related to desertification. The project will therefore engage in concrete actions such as community mobilization and transfer of appropriate technologies.

Objective of Component 2: Empower local communities in sustainable management of water resources and diversification of livelihoods (with main focus on irrigated farming) which secures fair access to water resources for all relevant stakeholders and maintains ecological integrity of river basins.

Major outcome 1: support to the implementation of Khovd Aimag Action Programme for Combating Desertification

In 2011, the Government of Khovd aimag approved Aimag sub programme for Combating Desertification adapted to local conditions. An action plan for 2011-2015 is a supporting main document to the sub programme. New policy paper will allow main actors and stakeholders to properly manage and coordinate planned activities, which at the end will have its significant impact to combat desertification.

Major outcome 2: promote an integrated water management

MoU on the construction of 2400 ha capacity irrigation system is signed with MOFALI. The current MoU stipulates the conditions that construction of main irrigation channels shall be MOFALI’s responsibility and works related to software strengthening and rehabilitation of side channels stands for CODEP. Construction of the first irrigation channels on 395 ha was officially handed over to Khovd aimag State Property Committee, whereas a possession right is given to Khovd aimag Water User Association (WUA). With regard to new irrigation channels land re-allocation is on-going. Aimag administration handed over the management of operation and maintenance of the irrigation system to the WUA. At the same time land re-allocation based on the new system is ongoing.

Responding to a demand from Water Authority and considering actual conditions of water resources in Buyant River in Khovd aimag, CODEP, in cooperation with Water Authority, national academic institutions and international experts, is providing financial support to Water modeling study in Buyant River Delta.

Participatory Technology Development (PTD): With the involvement of farmers, local experts and lecturers from Khovd Agriculture University soil and water consrevation technologies are being tested to increase vegetable growing and to ensure more long-lasting use of crop land. Technologies, such as crop rotation (4^th year), mulching of potatoes with plastic sheets, evaluation of the survival rate of different seedlings planted in shelterbelts and application of mineral fertilizer by micro dosage are being tested.

In order to increase the income of farmers through productivity of cropping practices as well as to increase the disaster resilience of herders through available fodder fund with nutritious forage plants, CODEP is supporting the production of forage plants which will be beneficial for both farmers and herders at the same time. Forage plantation practices are not very common in this area and therefore, project is introducing plants which have a high palatability and nutrient value and potential for future user and economic importance.

Association of Pasture User Group and Water User Association are cooperating to increase forage plant production in order to fulfill the demand and consumption of production and marketing in Khovd aimag.