Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

WiFi Lifeline For Nepal's Farmers

Posted by simoniker on from the yakkity-yak dept.

bahree writes "BBC is running a pretty interesting story on how yak farmers in the mountains of Nepal, where there are no phones or other means of communication, are using wireless Internet technology to keep in touch with their families, buy/sell livestock and exchange vetinerary tips."

2 of 175 comments (clear)

  1. Amazing. by taj · · Score: 5, Informative


    Electricity in some of these areas is not easy to come by. The valley below Mt Everest shares a hydro electric generator via a community coop. The electricity amounted to slightly over one 60 watt lightbulb per house.

    There are computers to be found. They do have Internet all the way to the Everest base camp now. But most of the people in the region are living very simple lives. Collecting yack dung to burn for heat and fertilizer.

    Great people if you ever get a chance to visit.

  2. before people think what a waste of money.. by reeb · · Score: 5, Informative

    my father taught at a nepalese school as research for his thesis, and some of the comments from the students, about how long it takes to get to school, are astounding.

    how about 1 weeks walk plus a 2 hour helicopter ride for one student, 3 day walk and 2 day bus ride for another. this is not just a handful of students either, very remote communities.

    Many move to the school, and do not return home until completed years later, simply because it takes so long, by the time they got home they would have to return to school!

    so, this has to be good for farmers in similar situations.