In 2025, two new potato varieties were introduced for commercial use: "Darkhan-212" and "Darkhan-222". This was reported by MiddleAsianNews.
The Institute of Plant Breeding and Agricultural Sciences has developed more than 100 varieties of agricultural crops, adapted over 20 of them to local conditions, and recently introduced the varieties "Darkhan-212" and "Darkhan-222," the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry reported.
Every year, the agricultural sector produces and uses from 400 to 450 tons of high-quality seeds of early-maturing varieties "Darkhan-160" and "Darkhan-131," as well as medium- and late-maturing varieties "Darkhan-190" and "Darkhan-144."
Five new potato varieties have been developed, 14 varieties have been adapted for local use, and 16 varieties have been selected as promising and are currently in production.
Each year, the institute supplies from 80,000 to 100,000 healthy microtubers, which accounts for about 40% of the main seed material for potatoes in the country. Work has also been done to develop technologies for planting leek seeds, which helps reduce costs and simplify labor efforts.
Researchers at the institute noted that countries are actively competing to preserve the genes of rare and endangered plants for up to a hundred years through precise scientific regulation.
During the visit of the Deputy Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry Nyamjav Baasansuren, whose goal was to check the work of the institute, the importance of a deeper study of soil conditions and their fertility in Mongolia was emphasized, as well as the creation of a laboratory for preserving rare seeds in accordance with international standards.
Additionally, a research program aimed at improving crop rotation from 2025 to 2030 has been developed, which will contribute to the development of agriculture on a more sustainable scientific basis.
The collective farm system was established in Mongolia in 1956, and the first grain harvest was conducted on 2,000 hectares at that time. In 1959, the government launched a campaign to develop virgin lands to increase the production of wheat, potatoes, and vegetables. The success of the second campaign in 1976 allowed the area of cultivated land to increase to 1.2 million hectares, fully satisfying the country's needs for grain, potatoes, and vegetables.
As of the end of 2025, the country harvested 274.1 thousand tons of grain, including 252.3 thousand tons of wheat, 101.9 thousand tons of potatoes, 208.6 thousand tons of vegetables, 133.3 thousand tons of fodder crops, and 27.2 thousand tons of oilseeds, totaling 745.1 thousand tons.
