INGER as a channel for non-Genebank IRRI seed delivery. Through the Centralized Seed Stock Unit, INGER handles all the exports of seed and non-seed biological materials as well as germplasm imports from the different rice-breeding programs of IRRI. A total of 50,912 seed samples have been distributed to 69 countries.

Free access to elite breeding lines. INGER has facilitated the flow of more than 48,000 nursery entries to breeding programs of 80 rice-growing countries.

Direct varietal releases. Direct release of INGER-tested lines as varieties by national programs shortens the time required for variety development and saves NARES resources since it precludes pre-breeding work. Through this process, the narrow genetic base of improved varieties is diversified and widened for agronomic and resistance traits.

Accelerated development of varieties. Major sources of resistance to pests and diseases and tolerance for soil and climatic stresses have been identified/confirmed through INGER. These genetic donors have been used in national breeding programs to improve local varieties. This process leads to the narrow genetic base of improved varieties becoming more diversified and broader for agronomic and resistance traits.

Economic impact. Yale economists Evenson and Gollin estimated that each released variety contributes US$2.5 million annually to the global economy.

• Composing and distributing nurseries aligned with NARES needs and IARC strengths and priorities.
• Infusing diverse and better characterized breeding and genetic resources using molecular marker technology.
• Instituting faster data submission, analysis, knowledge generation, and dissemination procedures through ICT.
• Developing a quality management system for all INGER operations.
• Enhancing NARES capacity on plant breeding and the use of genetic resources through training courses such as the Rice Breeding Course.
• Strengthening collaboration with IARCs, NARES, the Global Partnership Initiative for Plant Breeding Capacity Building (GIPB), and other networks and institutions to bring about a global revitalization of rice germplasm exchange and capacity building.
• Participating in discussions of international bodies and relevant issues such as plant variety protection, plant quarantine, biosafety, genetic resources access, and benefit sharing.
• Raising awareness on INGER to mobilize policy and donor support for the network as a model for ensuring the sustainable use of rice genetic resources.