ICRISAT Builds Evaluation Expertise, Strengthens Agricultural R&D Impact Monitoring
ICRISAT, supported by the Australian Consulate-General, Bengaluru, provides professionals in research and academia with advanced training to assess the multi-dimensional impact of agricultural R&D initiatives.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen impact evaluation in agricultural research and development (R&D), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) concluded its Master Class on Performance Monitoring and Impact Assessment of Projects at its headquarters on 27 June 2025.
The training program, supported by the Australian Consulate-General, Bengaluru, equipped 20 participants with the approaches, tools, and methodologies to measure and communicate the value of agricultural research in addressing global development challenges.
“In an era where every research dollar must deliver results, impact assessment is essential. Agricultural R&D must go beyond innovation to show clear, measurable benefits in the real world. We must demonstrate that our work is improving livelihoods in ways that are both sustainable and equitable,” noted Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General - Research and Innovation, ICRISAT.
This two-week Master Class provided a thorough overview of methodologies for conducting both ex ante and ex post impact assessments, with a strong focus on clarity, transparency, and generating credible evidence in agricultural R&D. As development donors and stakeholders increasingly emphasize accountability, there is a growing need to demonstrate the effective use of resources and measurable impact. The course underscored the vital role of robust, evidence-based evaluation systems in supporting strategic planning and institutional learning.
Priority setting and impact assessment are often treated as parallel processes. At ICRISAT, we believe they must be fully integrated—embedding evaluation into every stage of program design, implementation, and policy adaptation. This approach drives both accountability and smarter, more impactful research,” stated Dr Shalander Kumar, Deputy Global Program Director-Enabling Systems Transformation & Cluster Leader - Markets, Institutions and Policy, ICRISAT.
The training combined theoretical insights with practical exercises, including:
- Impact pathway analysis to trace research outcomes
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Impact Assessment (MELIA) frameworks
- Economic modeling for priority setting and resource allocation
- Gender-sensitive and capacity development approaches in impact assessment
To ground their learning in real-world context, participants also engaged in hands-on case studies drawn from ICRISAT’s key research programs—Accelerated Crop Improvement, Resilient Farm and Food Systems, and Enabling Systems Transformation.
Dr Swamikannu Nedumaran, Course Coordinator and Principal Scientist – Agricultural Economist at ICRISAT, explained that the Master Class was designed to address both technical and institutional gaps in current impact assessment practices. Beyond introducing tools and models, it emphasized fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. Participants gained a deeper understanding of how to generate rigorous evidence and influence decision-making to ensure that agricultural investments are inclusive, effective, and future-ready.
“Agricultural research is an increasingly important focus of Australia’s collaboration with India, and there is immense potential for both countries to do more together, particularly in advancing research and technologies. ICRISAT’s expertise in dryland agriculture, in addition to its leadership in capacity building and knowledge exchange, is strengthening our shared commitment to agricultural innovation and development,” said Ms Harriet White, Vice Consul, Australian Consulate-General, Bengaluru.
A key outcome of the Master Class was the strengthened collaboration among participants and the deepening of partnerships between ICRISAT and partner institutions, including the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). The attendees created a dynamic learning ecosystem that extended well outside the classroom by sharing insights and challenges from their diverse regions and organizations.
Ms Harriet White, Vice Consul, Australian Consulate-General, Bengaluru and Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT, award participants with the certificate of course complition
Ms Harriet White, Vice Consul, Australian Consulate-General, Bengaluru and Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT, award participants with the certificate of course complitionParticipants shared that the Master Class significantly deepened their understanding of impact assessment in agricultural research. Attendees also commended the course structure and content, describing it as well-designed and highly relevant to their work. Confident in the practical skills acquired, many expressed their intent to apply these tools directly within their institutions and research programs.
As malnutrition, poverty, and environmental challenges persist across Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, amid growing demand for measurable impact, ICRISAT’s Master Class is part of a broader commitment to building institutional resilience through evidence-based approaches.
Roseleen Aind
Related Articles:
