Ecotourism slots into a broader movement in conservation and development circles, namely integrated conservation and development programmes (ICDPs). ICDPs offer communities living in close proximity to protected areas alternative livelihood options (in order to (1) defer a perceived environmental threat, and (2) alleviate poverty).

In 2009 alone, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) attracted some 11,097 visitors. However, this growing industry has not seen a great amount of local development.  Research by Dr. Christopher Sandbrook in 2004 revealed that over three quarters of income from Bwindi’s tourism industry goes to outside actors in tour camps (called ‘leakage’) and so far few partnerships between the tour camps and local farmers exist. Only few local residents benefit from Bwindi’s ecotourism, mostly male, educated, and well connected (Sandbrook, 2006).

The Advanced Market Gardener’s Association (AMAGARA) has sought to convert this scenario. The  association provides local farmers with seeds, skills and the middle-men to sell their produce to local tour camps. Members can take their fruits and vegetables to AMAGARA and get 90% of the sales price. The 10% is set aside to pay salaries of staff and casual labourers, and other running costs. A secondary objective isthat the benefits gained will stimulate members to conserve and protect the area’s rich biological diversity.

The aim of this MSc thesis was to assess the development and conservation impacts of AMAGARA. Four key research questions guided the study:

1. What are the characteristics of members of AMAGARA, and are these different from those of people able to access tourism benefits in the past?

2. Has AMAGARA reduced leakage of tourism revenue from Bwindi?

3. Has joining AMAGARA resulted in increased income for members?

4. Has joining AMAGARA resulted in more positive attitudes towards tourism and the conservation of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

The research has shown that AMAGARA has created an opportunity for ecotourism revenue distribution to individuals previously left out of the equation. However, those who had the higher incomes already still dominate the local tourism sector.

While the Association has managed to avail some more revenue from tourism to local farmers , seasonality of produce and tourism peaks present a major obstacle to provide the tour camps with local produce throughout the year and the farmers with a steady offtake.

The question whether membership has a positive impact on attitudes and interaction with the natural environment could not be answered satisfactorily. AMAGARA members do not report different environmental sentiments from those of non-members, but it has been shown that they undertake more local level conservation activities.

AMAGARA has brought other, unexpected benefits to members, notably access to greater variety in nutrition as well as possible psychological reward via status change due to increased income and expertise.

Finally, since AMAGARA set out to distribute tourism benefits more widely within the local population, it is proposed that gender be more carefully considered, perhaps through setting male: female membership ratios. There is a risk that men will take more control of the fruits of women’s labour as the products gain value. This could be significant, since men are less likely to spend additional money on better nutrition for their children and rather sell crops for alcohol.

The thesis concludes that AMAGARA battles with issues common in ICDP projects: the intentions are excellent but the full development and conservation potential has not been achieved. Should business-as-usual persist it is unlikely that AMAGARA will attain financial sustainability in the foreseeable future. This would be unfortunate as, for the farmers around Bwindi, it represents the major platform for livelihood improvement.