A signing ceremony between M-Grass Group and Metagro. [Photo provided to goinnermongolia.com.cn]

China's Inner Mongolia-based M-Grass Group and Metagro, an agricultural subsidiary of Mongolian MCS Group, have signed a framework cooperation agreement to promote cross-border ecological restoration and sustainable livestock development in Mongolia.

Under the agreement, the two sides will cooperate in five areas: degraded grassland restoration, integrated grassland and livestock development, joint grass variety trials, low-carbon pasture development, and the application of AI-powered ecological equipment.

The partnership aims to establish an integrated model linking ecological restoration, forage breeding, grass-livestock cycles, and low-carbon pastures. It will combine Chinese ecological restoration technologies with Mongolia's grassland resources and livestock industry to support the improvement of grassland ecosystems and the upgrading of green livestock production.

An integrated desertification control demonstration area in South Gobi Province, Mongolia, during restoration (top) and after restoration (bottom). [Photo provided to goinnermongolia.com.cn]

Metagro owns 10,200 hectares of grassland in Mongolia's Khentii Province, along with a 50-hectare standardized beef cattle feedlot and an integrated slaughtering and processing chain. The company is seeking to introduce more intensive livestock production and smart agricultural technologies.

M-Grass Group has previously partnered with Oyu Tolgoi LLC, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Group, on a 400-hectare desertification control demonstration project in Mongolia's South Gobi province, building experience in cross-border ecological restoration and seedling cultivation.

The latest cooperation is expected to deepen ties in technology, research, industry, and talent, contributing to Mongolia's efforts to combat desertification and promote greener development of its grassland and livestock industries.