Avaliação multidimensional de um aplicativo para gestão de máquinas agrícolas em propriedades rurais

Abstract

In the agricultural sector, digital management solutions have a selective audience due to their added cost. As a consequence, small-scale and family farmers face a challenge in managing their machinery, resorting to rudimentary means or, in many cases, operating without any control over the use of these assets. In this context, this thesis aimed to develop and evaluate a technological solution designed to support the management of the use and maintenance of agricultural machinery on small rural properties. Seeking greater acceptance and reach, the solution was implemented as a free mobile application for the Android platform, aimed at recording, controlling, and monitoring the use and maintenance of agricultural machines and equipment. Its construction took place on a low-code platform provided by Google, ensuring direct interaction with the adopted operating system. The evaluation strategy of the tool proved to be unprecedented by adopting three combined methodologies that seek to reduce biases during development. To this end, the protocols investigated usability, legal compliance, and technological acceptance by users in a real-use environment. The premise of evaluation cycles interspersed with adjustments and corrections proved essential for the maturation of the tool and the achievement of the proposed objectives. The results indicated satisfactory levels in all approaches, with 92% effectiveness in usability, full compliance with the LGPD including the right to erasure, and 81% success in tasks and 50% full intention of future use in technological acceptance, demonstrating the feasibility of the solution as an instrument to support the organization of agricultural operations at the property level. These findings gain robustness given the heterogeneous group that evaluated the application. The developed solution contributes in an applied manner to expanding the availability of accessible management tools for small-scale producers, favoring the organization of agricultural operations and the monitoring of machinery use in the productive context. It should be noted that the evaluation carried out did not encompass the direct measurement of mechanical or economic performance indicators of the machines.