Prime Minister N.Uchral visited Tsagaannuur and Shaamar soums in Selenge Province on August 28 to meet farmers and review preparations for this year’s harvest. Farmers said favorable weather and government support had improved crop yields, with Mongolia expected to harvest significantly more wheat and other crops than last year. The country planted 580,400 hectares in 2026 and is projected to harvest 555,300 tonnes of grain, including 497,100 tonnes of wheat, along with 168,200 tonnes of potatoes and 218,400 tonnes of vegetables.

In Selenge, wheat yields are forecast to reach 1.65 tonnes per hectare, up from 1.3 tonnes last year. Farmers attributed the increase partly to concessional financing provided under the government’s “Atar-4” agricultural development campaign. A total of 47.2 billion MNT in concessional loans has been provided to 951 farmers and businesses nationwide, including 42 billion MNT to Selenge farmers. Selenge supplies around 60-70 percent of Mongolia’s wheat, and lawmakers said the province could potentially meet domestic demand and export surplus production this year.

Farmers nevertheless called for a balanced wheat pricing mechanism that would allow them to cover production costs while maintaining stable flour prices. They also raised concerns about labor shortages during harvesting and livestock encroachment on cropland. The government has expanded agricultural land, greenhouse cultivation and storage capacity, while allocating additional funding for food and fuel reserves. Under the 2026 revised budget, 150 billion MNT will support reserves of wheat, potatoes, vegetables and diesel fuel, including a planned 100,000-tonne strategic wheat reserve and five million liters of diesel. Prime Minister N.Uchral said the government would continue prioritizing stable domestic food production, agricultural development and food security while working to prevent seasonal shortages and sharp price increases.