ABSTRACT
Tanzania is a predominantly rural nation; most farmers are poor smallholders; therefore, grassroots innovations provide the best prospects for sustainable development. Haya villagers have adopted many innovations: new crops, new methods of cultivation, trading/hawking, and very small scale artisanal enterprises. Notable innovations include: tree farming for firewood, charcoal and lumber, raising purebred dairy cattle, production of burnt bricks and other construction materials, and, newer methods of brewing banana beer or distilling illegal liquor. The cash nexus is the motor force driving this small-scale commerce, the state neither monitors nor controls nor taxes this informal economy.
