The eighth day of the eighth month is marked as Farmer's day in Tanzania (Nane Nane translates to Eight, Eight or August 8th). A large multi-day festival in Arusha, similar to the CNE or Royal Agricultural Fair in Toronto, ON, highlights current innovations and farming produce in the various areas of Tanzania.
Because only 20% of Tanzania has access to electricity, many innovations are green and/or contribute to a green society.
Once such innovation was a hand operated press for the fruit of the Jatropha tree. This hardy plant will grow in conditions where other plants fail, thus it does not compete with food crops. By working a large levered system, the hard shell of the fruit is ground away and the interior of the fruit is then pressed to produce fuel oil, that can substitute for fossil fuels or be used in the production of soap and fertilizer. The ground shell can be burned as a heat source for cooking.
Another display demonstrated how to capture gas from the decomposition of plant material and animal waste. This combustible gas is then used as a source of energy for cooking or heating.
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