The conditions in mountain areas are significantly different from those obtaining in the plains. These differences have not been adequately reflected in national agricultural policy, research, extension, and credit, and in other programmes promoting agricultural development in many countries, especially in South Asia, with its vast mountain areas. Past policies and strategies aimed at promoting mountain agricultural development, applying green revolution technologies that have worked well in the plains, have thus not been quite successful because they fail to consider the inherent differences of the mountain condition. This Talking Points document offers an alternative mountain-specific framework that calls for an integrated and holistic approach to agricultural development in mountain areas, the removal of policy biases, and a fundamental change in perception and approaches. Instead of a blanket approach to the agricultural development of a country, the paper recommends the development of a strategy specific to mountain agriculture, one that takes into account its agro-ecological potentials, the biophysical and socioeconomic conditions of mountain farmers, and the consideration of specific measures to overcome difficulties in market access. The framework highlights the mountains comparative advantages, such as the potentials for organic and niche mountain products, and advocates adding value to mountain environmental services. Policy makers, planners, development practitioners, and academia may find the perspective and views offered useful in designing policies and programmes for agriculture development in hilly and mountain areas. The framework offers a basis for future in-depth research on mountain agriculture.