INGER is a global model for the exchange, evaluation, release, and use of genetic resources under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), which uses the Standard Material Transfer Agreement to facilitate access and benefit sharing.

The International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice is a 35-year-old partnership among national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES) of rice-growing countries around the world and international agricultural research centers (IARCs) such as the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), and the Centro International de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT). Established in 1975 as the International Rice Testing Program or IRTP, INGER is now considered by NARES as a regular component of their respective breeding programs. In various reviews conducted on INGER by noted agricultural leaders, economists, and sociologists, INGER earned distinctive marks. It is credited for the release of 667 varieties in 62 countries, resulting in economic benefits estimated at US$1.4 to $1.6 billion (Evenson and Gollin 1997, Brady 2004), and as being a "beautiful illustration of humanity working together for a common future" (Castillo 1998).

With the Council for Partnerships on Rice Research in Asia (CORRA) providing broad policy directions as the Steering Committee, the specific objectives of INGER in recent years have been (1) to ensure the safe and free exchange of rice germplasm and information on its characterization and adaptation; (2) to broaden the genetic diversity and genetic base of rice varieties used by farmers; (3) to acquire, characterize, and evaluate superior rice germplasm; (4) to assess and validate important traits of superior germplasm, including resistance to stresses and quality characteristics; (5) to characterize and evaluate genotype × environment interaction for important traits so that rice improvement programs, particularly those of NARES, can capitalize on general and specific adaptation; and (6) to enhance the capacity of NARES to use and improve germplasm.