Kirit Shelat
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Kirit Nanubhai Shelat (born 1946) is an Indian public administrator. He worked for the government of Gujarat, India as head of various government departments and public undertakings.. After retirement, he associated with various NGOs and Trusts. He was also member of prestigious Padma award committee 2023.
Shelat earned a PhD in public administration. He has been awarded degree of PhD – Doctorate of Science by Junagadh Agricultural University Gujarat, India.
Accomplishments
He contributed to the development of Gujarat, He has hand into introduction in “New Extension Management – Krishi Mahotsav” approach in Gujarat as Principal Secretary – Agriculture – which doubled the income of farmers. He designed and implemented large-scale projects for poor families, farmers, and micro entrepreneurs and remote rural areas. He developed guidelines for micro-level planning with focus on individual poor family and village development plan. He was responsible for the "cluster development approach" for small industries and "Step up project for rural micro level Entrepreneurs".
He developed micro level production plan modules for individual farmers and helped restructure the agriculture sector. He introduced a new extension approach of meeting with farmers at their doorstep prior to monsoon by a team led by an agriculture scientist. He introduced scientific agriculture based on soil health and moisture analysis and providing a soil health card to every Gujarati farmer. Gujarati agriculture grew at 11% per annum through 2015.
He is a founding member of International School for Public Leadership and Executive Chairman of National Council for Climate Change Sustainable Development and Public Leadership (NCCSD) and Chairman of the Sub Group – "Enhancing Preparedness for Climate Change" and had his hand in introduction of NICRA -National Initiative for Climate Resilient Agriculture. He was member of Expert Committee on Economic Revival in Arena Covid Pandemic of Government of Gujarat. Along with Prof. Mbuya of FAMU USA - he introduced concept of Building Climate Smart Farmers. His latest publication includes “Atmanirbhar Bharat – Energy Security”.
He has authored more than 20 books related to agricultural and rural development and related to impact of climate change and ways to meet that challenge at local level – village level. Dr. Kirit Shelat has written biography of Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj – “YUG PURUSH, PUJYA PRAMUKH SWAMI MAHARAJ – a life dedicated to others”. This is published in six languages with nine editions. He has also written biography of Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj – “Mahan Rushi Mahant Swami Maharaj” – June, 2019.
Legacy
He retired from the Indian Administrative Service. He worked on the formulation and implementation of policies for agricultural, rural and Industrial development in Gujarat.
