“The Sun Draws Closer from the Back of a Camel” festival held

Mandalgobi, Mongolia – In recognition of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists and under the auspices of the President of Mongolia, the Camel Festival “The Sun Draws Closer from the Back of a Camel” was held in Dundgobi Province on January 24-25, 2026. The festival was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, the Dundgobi Province Governor’s Office, and several knowledge partners.

The event featured a diverse program, including the National Camel Herders’ Conference, a camel parade, camel racing and polo competitions, an exhibition of camel products, a best breeding camel competition, and numerous other activities.

During the National Camel Herders’ Conference, Mr. Batbaatar Bayarmagnai, CEO and Coordinator of Dairy Asia, participated as a panelist. He spoke on Dairy Asia’s initiatives, including support for the World Bactrian Camel Association and the Mongolian camel milk cluster, and outlined some key development opportunities and strategies for the Mongolian camel sector.

The festival coincides with a period of growth for Mongolia’s camel population. According to 2025 statistics, the national herd now numbers 501,000 camels.