AGRA Village-Based Advisors Evaluation: Phase 3 Report

AGRA’s village-based advisor (VBA) program recruits respected lead farmers from local communities to train those in their community on good agricultural practices and other income-generating activities. VBAs also connect farmers to input providers and off-takers and thus have the opportunity to generate income and even start their own agri-enterprises. In recent years, AGRA has experimented with providing digital tools to VBAs to help enhance both their training to farmers and connection to market actors in a number of their focus countries, including Mozambique and Nigeria. In this formative evaluation, we relied on a mix of qualitative and quantitative data sources, including key informant interviews with program implementers, government officials, and market actors, focus groups of farmers and VBAs; and a survey of VBAs who have interacted with digital technology. We found that uptake and use of digital applications were low and hampered by limited access to necessary devices, weak digital infrastructure, and application design deficiencies. We recommended that in expanding its digital program AGRA use applications with user-oriented design, build in adequate time for iteration and focus on simple messages and platforms, among other tactical guidance.