Provides general information about the Asian Development Bank, its purpose, headquarters, principal functions, multinational character; membership and subscriptions; principal responsibilities, organizational structure, departments, and policy decisions; financial resources; lending policies, procedures and activities; project implementation; technical assistance provided by the Bank; and regional activities, including cooperation with non-governmental organizations and coordination with the work and activities of other aid agencies. Includes organization structure chart.

Despite the policy change the Asian Development Bank's rural sector projects have continued to focus on increasing production, with little impact on unemployment or poverty. This study examines the reasons - both political and organizational - for the gap between policy practice.

Explores the roles of some of the organizations involved in the developing world and what might be done to increase their effectiveness. Common instruments of intervention are illustrated with material from Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka.