Remote Sensing, Surveys, and Stories: Lessons From a Mixed-Methods Retrospective Evaluation of a Digital Agriculture App in Nepal

Evaluation methods have recently expanded, with options ranging from remote sensing to qualitative and quantitative methods, but deciding which to use can be challenging. This paper explores three evaluation methodologies used to retrospectively evaluate an agricultural app in Nepal. This includes using remote sensing to measure vegetation health, a limited quantitative survey to explore app usage and GPS accuracy, and qualitative interviews to contextualize app usage. Remote sensing outcomes show no differences in outcomes for farmers who utilized the app more, while the quantitative survey highlights that app usage was limited and the GPS data should be approached with caution. Qualitative results indicate that while the app attracted interest from local farmers, continued support could have increased usage. While these methods are useful individually, only by laying them together can we evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each one, while gaining a holistic view of the app rollout and training.