Kochi: The ICAR–Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Kochi, inaugurated a  three-day workshop on “Building Organisational Theories of Change for Fisheries Research  Institutes” on 12 October 2026. The workshop, being held from 12 to 14 October, aims to  strengthen strategic planning, align research priorities with national development goals, and  enhance the impact of fisheries research. It brings together representatives from all fisheries  institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other institutions to  deliberate on institutional strategies for enhancing research outcomes and impact. 

Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), and Director  General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), inaugurated the workshop virtually. In  his inaugural address, he emphasised the importance of identifying strategic priorities,  strengthening interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration, and effectively utilising  available resources to achieve long-term national development outcomes. He also encouraged  participants to focus on learning and collaborative planning while developing the framework. 

“We need to develop a broad framework for the Theory of Change across ICAR institutions and  refine it at the SMD, divisional and institutional levels. Our research priorities must align with  national development goals, supported by effective collaboration and strategic use of resources, to  ensure that research outputs translate into meaningful outcomes and lasting societal impact,” Dr  Jat said. 

Dr J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, New Delhi, addressed the  participants. Emphasising the need to align research with national priorities, Dr Jena highlighted  the importance of moving beyond research outputs to deliverables that create tangible benefits for  society. He stressed that research priorities should be guided by the country’s development goals  and that technologies and innovations must reach communities, farmers, fishers and entrepreneurs  to generate meaningful change. 

Dr Cristiano Rossignoli, Lead, Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact Assessment  (MELIA), WorldFish, Malaysia, highlighted that research impact extends beyond the development  of technologies, publications and scientific knowledge. He underscored the importance of monitoring, evaluation and learning in assessing whether research interventions are producing the  intended changes. He also emphasised the role of evidence in improving decisions, strengthening  partnerships and ensuring that research contributes to better livelihoods, nutrition and  environmental resilience. 

 

The workshop focuses on developing organisational Theories of Change (ToCs) that clearly  connect research activities and outputs with intended outcomes and long-term impacts. It aims to  help participating institutions identify key challenges, define development goals, map stakeholders  and partnerships, and establish pathways through which research can contribute to sustainable  fisheries development. 

The first day’s sessions covered the fundamentals of the Theory of Change, institutional priorities,  intended outcomes, assumptions and impact pathways. Institutional presentations, group  discussions and practical exercises provided participants with opportunities to identify challenges,  assess existing approaches and develop preliminary frameworks. The participation of  representatives from all ICAR fisheries institutes and members of the ICAR–National Academy  of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) provides a platform for sharing institutional  experiences, strengthening collaboration and developing a coordinated approach to outcome 

oriented fisheries research. 

The sessions on 13 and 14 October will focus on refining institutional Theories of Change,  identifying strategic interventions and partnerships, assessing risks and assumptions, and  developing indicators and evidence frameworks for monitoring progress. The discussions will also  address how monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning can support adaptive management  and evidence-based decision-making. 

The workshop is expected to strengthen institutional capacity for outcome-oriented research  planning and support the development of a coherent framework linking research investments with  national development priorities. The initiative aims to ensure that scientific outputs translate into  measurable benefits for the fisheries sector and society. 

Dr George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT, and Dr Nikita Gopal, Head, Extension, Information and  Statistics Division, ICAR-CIFT, also addressed the gathering during the inaugural session. 

(Release ID: 2322227) Visitor Counter : 6