The studies in this volume review over a quarter century of rich and varied experience in rural development in the Asian region.Whilst there are,no doubt several instances of rural development programme in what may be referred to as the per-independence period of the Asian region, it is the last three decades which have witnessed the growing emphasis on rural development in Asian countries. As the studies in this volume reveal a common characteristic of the national development policies of Asian countries during this period has been their special emphasis on rural development.