introduction to Agricultural Economics and Development

Prerequisites:        None

Course Contents:
Meaning of economics, agricultural economics; static and dynamic economics; elements of consumer theory, production economics and demand and supply forces; relation of agricultural economics and agribusiness to other agricultural sciences; difference between agricultural and manufacturing industry; types, size and distribution of farms; small scale farming, state farming, private farming, communal farming, subsistence agriculture, peasant agriculture and commercial agriculture, agriculture sector contribution to the total economy; current problems in the development of the rural sector; economic factors and their utilization. Land, land policy and land reforms.  Population dynamics-growth rates, working population, dependency ratio and agricultural labour force.Instruments of government interventions in the economy

Expected Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course students should be able to:   

•  Describe basic economic theories and their applications
• Link economics of agriculture and the manufacturing industry
• Relate capital and capital markets, equity, savings and investment aspects
• Explain agricultural farming systems, factors influencing their development pattern and how they are practiced in Tanzania.
• Understand the way agriculture is the  cause and solution of global warming
• Understand the role of the Government in the economic development process