Rice is one of the major food crops for millions of people in sub- Sahara Africa. It is of significant importance in attaining food security in Eastern and Central Africa (ECA). Rice production systems need to be viewed within a broad framework of crop and natural resource management. Considering that Africa Rice Center (WARDA) and ASARECA have similar and complementary interests and capabilities to collaborate in rice research activities, the two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in April 2004 to establish a long- term partnership for supporting ASARECA’s Eastern and Central Africa Rice Research Network (ECARRN).

ECARRN is one of the 17 research networks, Programs and Projects (NPPs) of ASARECA. ECARRN coordinates research on rice in the countries of Eastern and Central Africa (ECA); it became functional in January 2005. 

The ECARRN Coordination Unit is hosted by Africa Rice Center (WARDA) and is located at the Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Through research for development (R4D), ECARRN aims at increasing the efficiency of rice research in the ECA sub-region so as to facilitate economic growth, food security and export competitiveness through productive and sustainable rice production system.