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Mobile Phone Technology and Developing Nations

Posted by samzenpus on from the can-you-help-me-now dept.

angry tapir writes "Mobile Operator Tata Teleservices is testing technology that allows farmers to use their mobile phones to remotely monitor and switch on irrigation pump sets in far-flung locations. The technology, called Nano Ganesh, is being tested in two villages in the Indian state of Gujarat. In India, where the electricity supply is erratic, farmers often walk several kilometers to where their irrigation pumps are located, only to find that there is no electricity available. By dialing a code number from a mobile phone to a wireless device attached to the pump, farmers can now remotely monitor the electricity supply, and also switch the pump on and off. It's just the latest example of how mobile phone technology is being employed in novel ways to solve problems in developing nations. For example in Kenya, GSM technology has been used to help tame marauding elephants."

2 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. Solar powered pumps by whoda · · Score: 2, Informative

    Since the switch would need a battery and charger of some sort to operate it and the radio link, just get a pump that runs on solar.
    They make anything from .25GPM up to like 50,000GPD.

    solar pumps

  2. OLD STORY --- Details by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Website for this Project : http://www.nanoganesh.com/html/Index.html
    Date of Project Launch : 23rd September 2008
    Place : Pune
    Mobiles Used : Nokia 1100, 1200,
    Cost : Rs.560 and Rs.1700 [USD- 12$ to 34$]
    Units Installed in Pune : 3400