HYDERABAD: A graduate of Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam, Dr Waseem Laghari, represented Pakistan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Youth Conference held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where he presented recommendations highlighting the country’s progress in the livestock and veterinary sectors. He was nominated and sent by the Prime Minister’s Office of Pakistan to represent the country at the SCO Youth Summit.
The conference brought together young professionals and delegates from member states who presented papers and recommendations on innovation, food security and regional cooperation. Dr Laghari, an alumnus of SAU’s Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs, described Pakistan’s livestock system as a successful model of integrated farming, efficient protein production and rural development.
Presenting his paper at the conference, Dr. Waseem said that Pakistan’s mixed farming system effectively connects smallholder farmers with organized milk and meat supply chains, while the commercial poultry sector is rapidly expanding and playing a key role in food security and rural livelihoods.
Dr Laghari noted that Pakistan produces approximately 65–70 million tonnes of milk annually, ranking among the leading milk-producing countries, with per capita consumption of around 170 kilograms per year. He added that the poultry sector remains strong, producing over 20 billion eggs annually.
Highlighting cost competitiveness, he said farm-level egg production in Pakistan ranges between Rs10 and Rs18 per egg, significantly lower than in Central Asian countries due to higher feed costs, climatic challenges and production limitations. He said this cost advantage creates strong potential for expanding regional trade in poultry and livestock products among SCO countries.
He also emphasized that veterinarians in Pakistan are highly skilled and technically equipped to manage small and medium-scale farms as well as modern livestock and poultry operations, making them valuable human resources for regional collaboration and capacity building across SCO member states.
Highlighting SAU’s contribution, he said the university plays a vital role in producing competent graduates, strengthening industry-academia linkages and promoting applied research.
Dr Laghari further proposed the establishment of an SCO Youth Fellowship Programme to connect young professionals across member countries, promote knowledge exchange, support youth-led startups, and encourage cross-border collaboration in agriculture and livestock sectors. He also recommended increased funding for youth-led agricultural innovation, strengthening of veterinary systems, and promotion of farmer-friendly policies to ensure fair pricing and access to animal healthcare.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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