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This book, recently published by IRRI., contains interviews with fourteen outstanding rice farmers from ten countries of the Far East. The last chapter analyses the common characteristics contributing to their success, and looks at the implications that they can have for research and extension staff and policy-makers concerned with development issues. Land ownership apoears as a motivating development factor. The farmers were professional in their approach and operated their farms more as a business than a subsistence base and then, viewed mechanisation as an inevitable consequence of improved farming. These farmers considered farming to be hard work, with many disadvantages; they wished their children a better and easier future yet hoped that at least one child would become a farmer. They all recognize that access to scientific knowledge is essential to their success and therefore actively seek it for possible application on their farms. This appears to be the most important trait and seems to have had little to do with their level of education. They also had various other activities apart from their main occupation of growing rice and were willing to share their experiences with others. Whilst the interviews and analysis may not be relevant to the African, Caribbean or Pacific situation, there is nevertheless much to be learned from these farmers' experiences. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) P. O. Box 933 Manila PhilippinesInsights of outstanding farmers [book, interviews] IRR