Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA) (founded 1979) is an autonomous institution located at Anand in Gujarat, India with the mandate of contributing to the professional management of rural organisations. It was founded at the initiative of the National Dairy Development Board and the support of Government of India, Government of Gujarat and Swiss Development Co-operation. IRMA works closely with co-operatives, NGOs, governments, Indian national and international agencies. IRMA was established in 1979 at Anand, Gujarat with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), the Government of India, the Government of Gujarat, erstwhile Indian Dairy Corporation and the National Dairy Development Board to provide management education, training, research and consultancy support to co-operatives and rural development organisations in India. IRMA is founded with the belief, borne out by Dr. Kurien’s work in the dairy co-operatives which revolutionised the dairy industry in the country, that the key for effective rural development is professional management.