‘My Mind and Heart Are in Animal Husbandry’: IAS Amit Prakash Yadav’s Dream for Kheda, Gujarat

IAS Amit Prakash Yadav is a 2013 Batch Officer of the Gujarat cadre and is currently posted as Collector & DM in Kheda, Gujarat.Known for community-empowering initiatives,his dream for Kheda revolves around making animal husbandry the backbone of rural prosperity.

“My mind and heart are in animal husbandry. In Kheda,the roots of this sector are already strong, and the infrastructure is also good. If we continue to build on this strength, we can achieve even greater progress”he said.

Recognizing that a substantial number of people in the district depend on farming and drawing from the district’s historic significance in dairy sector, he noted “Amul originated here, and animal husbandry has been a significant activity in Kheda not now but since the time of Sardar Patel”.Additionally His efforts also align closely with the Prime Minister’s vision of doubling farmers income.

Building on this legacy,he  is further strengthening the sector by setting up specialized animal husbandry clinics and organizing seminars for veterinary doctors. “We have converged grants from different sources, and I have personally supervised the initiatives.It is a long process, but we have laid a strong foundation for substantial change”he explained.

Yadav envisions animal husbandry not just as an economic activity, but as a means of social stability.With large chunk of families engaged in livestock rearing in Kheda,he sees the sector as having the potential to reduce migration, empower women, create a stronger support system for livestock keepers, and secure additional income for rural households.

“When men go to work in cities like Ahmedabad and Vadodara,women stay back and take care of the livestock.The aim is to reduce the costs of fodder, medicines, artificial insemination, and vaccinations, so that families can save at least ₹2,000-₹3,000 a month”he explained. “It might sound like a small amount, but it can make a real difference.”

IAS Amit Prakash Yadav is not just nurturing Kheda’s historical strength but also paving the way for a sustainable and inclusive rural economy.