We developed a mobile phone monitoring system to check the performance of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) and the facilitators in Kenya. We provided one mobile phone each to FFS asking them to evaluate and report back at the end of each FFS session (every week) via the mobile phone application. The data were stored in a server and we were able to see their performances anywhere in the world at close to the real time. The first system was developed in Kenya and the system worked very well for the first year. As a result, we dropped three facilitators. We exported the same platform to the Philippines to monitor the same. It did not go well. I asked FFS groups in the Philippines and they said "they don't feel like evaluating their facilitators who are teachers of our FFS." Looking back, I overlooked the cultural aspects of questions (data) that we wanted to collect.

Also, you need to insist to get feed back from the FFSs. I think this is an universal issue – it is not unique only for the mobile phone data collection. Sometime you need to send kind reminders to the senders. They are not always active in responding your questions.