The objective of the course is to enable candidates to analyze the main determining factors which influence rural development in Tanzania in particular and the developing world in general. The course focuses on: Introduction of concepts of development (Different paradigms and paradigm shifts as given by different schools of thought encompassing economic, social, political, cultural and geographical aspects. and how they interface with each other); The impact and implication of the different theories on development; The wholistic, integrated and multidisciplinary nature of rural development; The relationship between existing economic crisis and the crisis in the rural sector; Large scale and small scale production systems; Policies in food production, distribution and food security; Policies and strategies of rural development; Problems of crop marketing in Tanzania and other developing countries; Rural development strategies for Africa; Comparative strategies of rural development in Africa and other developing countries