This publication is part of a three-volume diagnostic study on lessons learned and implications for agriculture and food security in the context of rapid growth in selected Asian economies. This first volume is a synthesis of the main findings and conclusions of the five country case studies supplemented by additional information and insights on the issue discussed from other sources and FAO's own experience I the region. The volume concludes with a summary of implications and lessons learned to assist countries in restructuring their agricultural sectors for accelerated and/or sustained agricultural and rural development in response to changing market and trade opportunities and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of poverty and hunger eradication.