Inclusive Rural Regional Transformation in Bangladesh, China, Indonesia and Pakistan: Sharing Experiences and Policy Advice Through Facilitation of Institutions, Policies and Investments

This editorial introduces a special issue that examines the drivers, pathways, and policy implications of inclusive rural transformation (RT) across Bangladesh, China, Indonesia and Pakistan. Drawing on the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) multi‐country project, the issue advances a stage‐based analytical framework—grounded in Huang Segmentation—to understand how institutions, policies, and investments (IPIs) shape long‐term structural and livelihood changes in rural economies. The collected articles provide new empirical evidence on RT measurement, stage segmentation, and the role of targeted public interventions, complemented by comparative analyses of irrigation, gender inclusion, infrastructure, water governance, and engagement with global value chains. Together, they highlight that RT is a multi‐decade, path‐dependent process that requires adaptive, stage‐specific facilitation prioritising inclusiveness and sustainability. Insights from diverse country experiences, as well as Australiaʼs productivity‐driven transformation, underscore the importance of strong institutions, gender‐responsive policies, and integrated approaches to water and resource management. This special issue contributes a coherent diagnostic and policy toolkit for accelerating equitable and sustainable RT in developing economies, offering guidance for both researchers and policymakers navigating the challenges of structural transformation in the Asia–Pacific region.