Assessment of the Socia-Economic Benefits of Two Indigenous Fruit Tree: Apple (Gornoaltaiskoje) and Sea Buckthorn (Altaja) to the People of Biger Rural City in Western Region of Mongolia
The purpose of this research is to assess the socio-economic importance of two indigenous fruit trees of Apple and Sea buckthorn in Biger rural city of Gobi-Altai province, Mongolia. Specifically, the study assesses the contributions of indigenous fruits to household’s cash income and to supply the local fruits demand. This study used a qualitative and quantitative analyzing approach which conducted field survey using semi-structured interview with locals and experts, observation and self-designed household exploratory questionnaires were used for primary data collection. The result of research found 12.5 hectare area at 3 places in Biger city planting small apple and sea buckthorn and they were planning to extent the planting area in another 15 hectare from 2015. These two fruits have been supplied big benefits to the 124 householders cash income, domestic use of bordering 17,822 citizens apple’s demand and supply of primary goods for local wine industry since 1971. The other benefits of the fruits planting area also have been supplying 1726 ton forage for 404 herder householder’s livestock food demand in the case area. The local small afro farm areas are contributing lots of benefits to the local householders’ livelihood and wellbeing, neighboring citizens’ fruit demand, livestock forage supply and also reducing desertification process in the Gobi desert region of Mongolia which is very important forest type.