The paper argues that central governments must take a number of national policy actions if they are to significantly improve rural access. Policies which articulate a high priority for rural access improvement and policies requiring inter-ministerial coordination, where appropriate, are fundamental. Macroeconomic policies which encourage rural production and enable rural producers to realize the potential gains of improved access are important. These might include, for example, national agricultural product pricing policies, rural credit policies, and policies on production enhancing rural infrastructures (e.g., irrigation works or storage facilities). Policies enabling decentralization and granting a degree of local autonomy are also necessary. Where improved rural access is made a national priority, it is likely that substantial resource transfers from central to local governments will be necessary over an extended period. Policies and specific mechanisms for the transfer of financial resources and technical inputs will be needed.