The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Hong Kong recently announced its support for a new project in Mongolia called the Climate Adapted Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture Project (CANSAP). It’s being implemented by ADRA Mongolia, ADRA Hong Kong leaders reported.

This three-year initiative, launched earlier in 2024, aims to help smallholder farmers in Bayan-Ulgii province cope with extreme weather conditions, leaders behind the initiative said. CANSAP will introduce innovative techniques such as passive solar greenhouses to extend the growing season, along with a value chain approach to improve market access for farmers — a first for the region.

The project goes beyond harvest, promoters of the initiative said. “It promotes better nutrition, dietary practices, and hygiene to enhance overall health and resilience in these communities,” they explained. “Ultimately, CANSAP seeks to establish a model for sustainable agriculture that thrives even in harsh climates, while also creating a more effective vegetable marketing system for participating farmers,” they added.

The CANSAP initiative benefits 225 vulnerable households across Bugat, Sagsay, and Ulgii districts in Mongolia, ADRA Hong Kong leaders said. By boosting agricultural productivity and profitability, CANSAP works toward a brighter future for these communities, improving their livelihoods and well-being.

This project builds on ADRA Mongolia’s long history of supporting food security in Bayan-Ulgii province. Since 2011, programs have equipped families with innovative, context-specific vegetable cultivation methods. These techniques empowered households to grow their own food and integrate healthy vegetables into their diets, even in challenging areas with poor soil quality.

CANSAP represents a significant step forward in ADRA Mongolia’s efforts. By combining climate-smart practices with improved nutrition and market access, the project offers a wholistic approach to empowering rural communities. The success of CANSAP has the potential to serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across Mongolia and beyond, promoting long-term food security and sustainable agricultural development in regions facing harsh climatic conditions.

ADRA Hong Kong is committed to supporting innovative projects that empower communities and promote positive change, regional ADRA leaders shared. “We are confident that CANSAP will make a significant and lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable families in Bayan-Ulgii province, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come,” they said.

About ADRA

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is the international humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, serving in more than 100 countries. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. ADRA’s purpose is to serve humanity so all may live as God intended.

The original version of this story was posted on the ADRA Hong Kong news site.