Rusinga Island Land Regeneration
Farming with resilience, rooted in Lake Nalubaale/ Victoria
Rusinga Island sits on Lake Nalubaale (the indigenous Luganda name for Lake Victoria, widely glossed as “home or mother of the (ba)lubaale.), home to about 35,000 people. It's under heavy ecological and social pressure. Communities here, like across much of the Nile Basin, rely heavily on fishing and farming, but shrinking fish stocks, degraded soils, deforestation, and crop diseases are making livelihoods more fragile. These challenges aren't just ecological; they're social too, pushing families into unsafe practices that strain both people and the lake that feeds them.
Nile Journeys, in partnership with the Rusinga Island Organic Farmers Association (RIOFA), has been walking beside farmers to heal the land, restore dignity, and strengthen community stewardship. RIOFA embodies the ethics of permaculture, earth care, people care, and fair share, working as a community enterprise that blends food sovereignty, ecological restoration, and sustainable livelihoods.
Together, we're nurturing a regenerative path where land care and community care grow hand in hand.
Rusinga Island Organic Farmers Association (RIOFA)
RIOFA, the Rusinga Island Organic Farmers Association, is a community-based group on Rusinga Island in Lake Nalubaale/ Victoria, Kenya. It was started by local farmers who want to boost food sovereignty, restore ecosystems, and build sustainable livelihoods through organic farming and permaculture.
Guided by earth care, people care, and fair share, RIOFA promotes farming practices that regenerate soil, conserve water, and protect biodiversity. At its demonstration farm and training center, members and visitors learn practical techniques like raised beds, mulching, composting, food forests, and seed saving. These approaches not only improve harvests but also reduce reliance on harmful chemical inputs.
Beyond farming, RIOFA works to strengthen community cohesion by fostering cooperation, dialogue, and mutual support among island residents. Its members share a vision of creating a resilient, life-affirming community where ecological health and human well-being go hand in hand.
What we have been nurturing
Permaculture and Soil Restoration
Raised beds, food forests, and agroforestry practices restoring degraded soils.
Composting and mulching turning waste into fertility.
Tree nurseries expanding green cover and stabilizing shorelines.
Enterprises and Value Chains
Introduction of a moringa oil press to add value and create green livelihoods.
Plans for solar energy upgrades to power local processing.
Building sustainable income chains that link ecological care with enterprise.
Education and Learning
Workshops, farm visits, and extension services for farmers and youth.
Hosting EDE on the Nile, where participants co-designed permaculture systems.
Exchanges with regenerative communities across Kenya and the wider Nile Basin.
Community Spaces and Trust Building
A Community Dialogue Hall that serves as a meeting, training, and cultural space.
Shared meals, workshops, and gatherings strengthening cooperation and dialogue.
Creating a foundation of trust for regeneration of land and community thriving together.
For Rusinga, land regeneration is about more than restoring soil or planting trees. It is about reclaiming food sovereignty, creating dignified livelihoods, and rebuilding the social fabric. Each tree planted revives the shoreline of Lake Victoria. Each compost pile reduces waste and regenerates fertility. Each shared workshop restores trust, culture, and the confidence that the community can thrive together.
With it's integrated approach means that regeneration on Rusinga does not stop at the farm. It extends into households, schools, and cultural life, inspiring a sense of pride and ownership. It shows that even on a small island, when people care for the land and each other, they can create ripples of resilience that reach far beyond their shores.
Looking Ahead
RIOFA and Nile Journeys are now focusing on scaling Moringa enterprises, processing seeds into oil and powder for local, regional, and international markets. This regenerative economy aims to improve farmer incomes while grounding livelihoods in ecological care.
Other Priorities include:
- Work towards electricity power sovereignty and sustainability through solar energy to ensure reliable electricity for enterprises like the moringa oil press.
- Clean water access and initiatives to protect and restore Lake Victoria’s health, including lake cleaning and biodiversity conservation.
- Seedling nurseries to expand agro-forestry and restore indigenous species.
- Community learning by using the Dialogue Space as a hub for regenerative workshops, trainings, and cultural activities.
