We are pleased to mention that #DSP2023 has been scheduled to be held at the Islamia University Bahawalpur. The Conference is aimed at academia-industry linkage in the Region, especially the Cholistan Desert, for transformation of natural resources into prosperity for the people.
Livestock sector contributes 11% to the GDP in Pakistan. A notable portion of the livestock population of Pakistan has been present in the Cholistan Desert Region where herders have got no alternate source of livelihood. The Cholistan desert is inhabited by around 1.2 million Rohi pastoral people practising mobile livestock husbandry. This production system is extremely important for food security and conservation of livestock and landscape. Cattle are the most important animal of Cholistan and on an average each herder owns 51 heads. Camels are the second most important animal with 4-5 heads, sheep 61, and goats 19.
So far, 63 papers have been submitted for the Conference which have been peer reviewed by the panel of reviewers. Conference Program Schedule has been prepared accommodating the keynote and regular speakers. The Inaugural Session on 20 March would be followed by two technical sessions. On 21 March a technical session will be held to be followed by a Business Support Session, to be participated by farmers, processors, marketing partners and potential entrepreneurs. This session will be assisted by a panel of experts from academia, industry and government to motivate the educated youth to establish their own models and remove the bottlenecks faced by the private sector.
Students, faculty members and representatives of government departments and the private sector are invited to participate in the event and make it memorable.
Prof M Subhan Qureshi
Conference Chair DSP2023