The genesis of IRMA is owed to Dr. Kurien's work with dairy co-operatives, which revolutionized the dairy industry in the country. It was founded with the belief that the key to effective rural development lies in professional management. Professionalising rural management involves synergising specific yet unmet needs of the rural sector with the formal techniques and skills of management professionals. Linking the two are the ‘rural managers' graduating from IRMA after undergoing a two-year diploma (PRM) programme in rural management.

Born out of a maverick's dream IRMA is, today, at the forefront of professionalising the development of India's rural sector. Over the years it has provided management training, support and research facilities to students committed to rural development drawing, in the process, co-operatives, non-government organisations, government development agencies, international development organisations, and funding agencies towards it.

Mission

IRMA stands out as an institute with a mission. Its mission is to promote sustainable, ecologically-friendly, and equitable socio-economic development of rural people through professional management.

IRMA strives to achieve this mission
by creating a new breed of professional rural managers with the appropriate ethos and values;
by helping rural organisations and institutions in professionalising their management;
by empowering rural people through self-sustaining processes;
by building new rural management knowledge and theories through action-oriented and problem-solving research and consultancy;
and by influencing public policies.

In performing these activities, IRMA continues to uphold and foster the values of creativity, integrity, and excellence.

Founder's Vision

kurien IRMA is a unique institution of rural management. IRMA stands out as an institute with a mission. IRMA’s mission is to promote sustainable, ecologically-friendly and the equitable socio-economic development of rural people through professional management.