For supporting the development of the DSS for Livestock Sector in Bangladesh and with facilitation from RIMES, a technical working group (TWG) has been formed, consisting of specialists from the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), and SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC).

The TWG, in consultation with DLS and farmers, has been instrumental in shaping the core structure of the DSS for Livestock Sector. A prototype, comprising the DSS framework and some proposed features have been developed through the World Bank-funded CARE project.

The full development of the DSS for the Livestock Sector shall be driven by the requirements of DLS and user groups per the desk review and user needs assessment undertaken, and technical inputs from the TWG, for climate-informing plans and decisions in livestock management.

Several consultation meetings and discussions with DLS and the TWG have been conducted over the past year, based on the development of the current prototype system. The DSS prototype features include weather forecast, weather alert, THI index and alert, and disease cluster for FMD in Bangladesh. Moreover, the user needs assessment has been ongoing for identifying the key direction of the DSS's full development.

For a) sharing the prototype and potential for the full development of the DSS for the Livestock Sector, b) presenting the preliminary findings from user need assessments, and c) collecting feedback on the current progress and recommendations for onward development, this workshop is being convened with the key stakeholders including the DLS, the TWG, other incountry livestock stakeholders, WB, RIMES, and ADPC. This workshop is designed as a hybrid event, with mechanisms for both physical and online participation.