About SIRD The State Institute of Rural Development, Kottarakkara was established as an autonomous body under the auspices of the Government of Kerala in 1987 with the objective of developing managerial skills, organisational abilities, leadership qualities and decision making skills among different categories of Government officials, elected representatives of Panchayats and members of non-governmental organisations who are engaged in developmental activities in the State. It is also a major research and consultancy center on various facets of rural development.

(a) With the sociological and behavioral perspectives and techniques for being able to sensitively understand the problems of the rural population.

(b) With the managerial skills for efficient designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating rural development programmes

(c) With the technique for enlisting community action in support of rural development programmes.

 To carry on research and formulate operational policies

(a) To evolve ideas and concepts appropriate for rural development activities and to formulate policy alternatives,
(b) To bring about development in the spheres of appropriate technology for strengthening the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the production processes of rural artisans.

   To create awareness on the potential of modern management services as a major instrument for rural development.

   To take up such other programmes pertinent to rural development as found necessary from time to time.

As part of the VIth Five Year Plan, Government of India introduced a Central Sector Scheme to establish State Institutes of Rural Development for imparting training to rural development functionaries at manifold levels and for creative and imaginative implementation of various Rural Development Programmes throughout the country.

The programme has to be financed by the Central Government and the European Economic Community. The Government of Kerala also implemented the Central Scheme by establishing the SIRD at Kottarakkara on 1st January 1987 under the Rural Development Department of Kerala Government. Later it was registered as an autonomous body under the Travancore Cochin Scientific and Charitable Societies Act (Act XII) of 1955.

SIRD, Kerala is the apex body undertaking training and research in multifaceted disciplines which truly reflect the commitment of the Institute to the changing social, financial, administrative and environmental, output requirements. Adequate focus has also been given to traditional thrust areas like decentralised planning, women empowerment, Panchayathi Raj, etc. Above all, the institution plays a pivotal role in organising conferences, symposia, workshop and seminars on various aspects and dimensions of rural development, Panchayathi Raj, People's Planning, women empowerment etc.

SIRD serves as a connecting link between the National Institute of Rural Development at the national level and Extension Training Centers at the regional level. With the advent of Panchayathi Raj System, the institution has been catering to the training needs of official and non-official functionaries of the State Government, Local Bodies, Rural Development Department and Panchayathi Raj.

The day today affairs of the Institute is managed by a Director drawn from the Addl. Development Commissioners from the Rural Development Department.  The Present Director is Sri.B.S.Thirumeni who has been at the helm of affairs since 22-10-2012.

LINKAGES

The SIRD, Kerala has close links with the National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad, MANAGE, Hyderabad, UNICEF, SIRDs of other states, CAPART etc. This enables the faculties to take up collaborative training and research programmes. Delegates from Asian and African countries and representatives of developmental agencies visit SIRD and participate in various programmes.