This volume contains selected papers and the proceedings of a Regional Seminar on ‘Monitoring Poverty and Anti-Poverty Policies in Rural Asia’ held in Dhaka, Bangladesh during April 1984. The basic purpose of this seminar was to bring together planners, administrators and other specialists concerned with the problem of poverty alleviation and to provide a forum for the exchange of experiences, lessons and views based on some studies that were conducted as well as the knowledge and experience of participants. The discussion in the seminar provided valuable insight on the effectiveness of the kind of strategies for poverty alleviation being pursued by various countries, the alternative strategies that are available and the lessons that emerge in this regard.