The Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India in the 'ASEAN-Indian Joint Leaders' Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises' declared to "exchange information on national policy frameworks, particularly for rice and other priority crop commodities." Rice is a staple and critical component of regular diet for billions of people across Asia. The challenges are many, including the changing climatic conditions, especially lower rainfall that has shrunk rice production, and other factors.