How MADFA Gets Clear, Honest Reports from Their Field Agents

When your program’s success depends on the actions of field agents, trust is everything. But for many agribusinesses, it can be a constant struggle to get reliable, honest reports from the field. This was a major challenge for MADFA, a leading agribusiness in Uganda, until they found a better way.

The Problem: A Lack of Visibility and Accountability

Before using ShareCARD, MADFA’s team managed their operations with paper forms and fragmented spreadsheets. It was nearly impossible for management to know for sure what their field agents were doing. Were they visiting the right communities? Were training sessions happening as planned? The data was often inconsistent, incomplete, and sometimes even falsified. This lack of visibility led to poor decision-making and a constant fear of misallocated resources.

The Solution: A Digital Platform Built for Transparency

MADFA chose to digitize its entire operation using ShareCARD, and with it, they implemented two key features that revolutionized how they manage their field agents:

• QR-Code Beneficiary Cards: MADFA now provides each beneficiary with a unique QR-code card. When a field agent conducts a training or provides a service, they simply use the ShareCARD mobile app to scan the beneficiary’s card. This instantly records the time, date, and type of interaction in the central database. This simple step eliminates manual data entry errors and provides an unchangeable, verifiable record of every activity.
• GPS Tagging: To ensure agents were where they said they were, ShareCARD’s mobile app automatically captures the GPS location for every data entry. This feature provided management with a clear, visual map of agent activity. They could see exactly when and where a training session took place, providing an extra layer of trust and accountability.

The Results: Trust and Clear, Verifiable Reports

By implementing ShareCARD, MADFA moved from a system based on guesswork to one built on verifiable facts. The results were immediate and impactful:

• Increased Accountability: Managers can now confidently verify agent activities, ensuring everyone is doing their job and reaching the right people.
• Accurate Data: The risk of falsified data is nearly eliminated, leading to more reliable reports for management and partners.
• Improved Efficiency: The time previously spent chasing down field reports and correcting errors is now freed up for more strategic work.

The MADFA story is a powerful example of how the right technology can transform an agribusiness, building a foundation of trust and providing the reliable data needed to drive sustainable growth.