The economic situation of farmers of a small village near Chincheros in Peru were, until the mid-1990s, not much different from the millions of farmers that live today in rural areas of developing countries. The 50 families living in the village used to receive a small amount of money (US$ 300 a month for the whole village) in exchange for their local produce. As in most rural areas of developing countries, the prospects of change and progress were fairly limited and elusive. In 1996, thanks to the initiative of a local Internet Service Provider (ISP), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) working in Peru, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the village were connected to the Internet. The connection brought not only information from around the world but also opened up a channel for global trade. Grasping the opportunity, the council of village leaders was able to establish an online partnership with an international export company. Soon afterwards Chincheros’ vegetables were shipped directly to the United States to be sold in the New York market. By 1998, the village's income had grown fivefold to US$ 1’500 a month.