08/04/2010 (AllAfrica.com) - The government is calling on stakeholders to submit their business plans for assistance.

The government of Cameroon is fine-tuning preparations to take the project for improving the income generating potentials of the palm oil sector in the West and Central African Regions, notably in Nigeria and Cameroon, off the ground. The funds for the 48-month project evaluated at FCFA 2.305.520.000 are now available, officials have said.

The government, through the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Technological Development, has set out criteria to select eligible applicants. In a press statement inviting interested community-based organisations (oil palm farmers associations and common initiatives groups), to submit their business plans for assistance, the Ministry spelt out eight criteria for eligibility.

These include existing initiative on palm oil processing, access to fresh fruit bunches, existing infrastructure for market access, income level of farmers, land ownership, alternative livelihoods, level of village organisations and traditional village structures, existing extension structure provided by the government and the willingness of the local government to provide land for pilot plantations. The project, financed by the Common Fund for Commodities, will be executed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).