In 2006, IRMA teaching staff had started thinning after Prof K Pratap Reddy had put in his papers during Verghese Kurien’s tenure as chairman. The number of teachers had plummeted to 16. The situation stabilised after Vivek Bhandari’s appointment as IRMA director the same year. It was only last year that the staff strength was increased to 23.

Y K Alagh, Chairman, IRMA, admitted that teaching staff is comparatively lesser than what it was in the past. “IRMA has experts giving consultancy not only on matters such as Panchayati Raj, but also on projects in other organisations. The institute has been successful in replenishing the losses of 2006. It is now looking forward to recruit efficient teaching staff, as a new course in dairy development is being started,” said Alagh.

IRMA officials said with the institute having adequate government funding, the teaching staff strength could be increased to over 30.