(Business in Cameroon) - The Agropole programme being implemented in Cameroon since 2013 to improve agriculture, forestry and livestock production and create revenue generating activities in rural areas, plans to open fifteen new Agropoles in 2015. This was announced by Adrian Ngo’o Bitomo, the coordinator of the government project being led by the Ministry of Economy.

Without providing specifics as to the nature and location of these future production agropoles, Mr. Ngo’o Bitomo, however, revealed that “in the next few days, the first projects” will be launched in Bertoua for corn production and Nlowé for potatoes. A pineapple production agropole is slated to open soon in the West region, according to the same source.

From 2013 to 2014, the programme gave birth to 17 operational agropoles in fisheries, livestock, eggs and chicken; agriculture (corn, pineapples), and cocoa and soya processing.

For each project that receives 60% of its financing from the personal funds of the business owner, the Agropole programme contributes “100% of the community infrastructure and capacity building needs, 35% of the production inputs and 30% of the production equipment needs.”