India has signed a seed policy agreement which aims to speed up distribution of modern rice varieties across nations in South and Southeast Asia. The eight other Asian countries that are part of the agreement are Cambodia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Modern rice types such as those that are climate-resilient and can withstand drought or salinity, help vulnerable farmers establish a secure food supply for their families as well as add income that they can invest in their own future. The institute has partnered with 17 rice growing countries in Asia and Africa and runs offices in member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and countries such as Bangladesh, Burundi, China, India, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea and Sri Lanka.