By Boris Esono Nwenfor
A modern palm oil mill donated by the Missions Arise Foundation is transforming lives in Bekora, Ekondo-Titi subdivision, Ndian Division, South West Region of Cameroon, offering hope to hundreds of farming families who have long struggled with processing their palm harvests.
The new mill is expected to become a catalyst for economic growth, employment, community development and church outreach in the rural community, where palm oil production remains the backbone of many households.
For years, palm farmers in Bekora faced enormous challenges after harvesting their produce. Limited processing facilities, outdated manual equipment, poor hygiene, insecurity and long distances to available mills discouraged production, leaving many farms abandoned and reducing household incomes.
The Missions Arise Foundation sought to reverse that trend by supporting the construction of a modern palm oil mill designed to increase processing capacity while improving efficiency and hygiene.
A Lifeline for Palm Farmers
Nondem Bruno Kweti, Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Bekora, described the facility as a major improvement over existing local mills. “The mill is well done. It is very, very clean. They have made it in such a way that they have built a shade where if you leave the kitchen, the rain does not fall on you,” he said.
He explained that, unlike traditional mills, where farmers often had to endure poor sanitary conditions and manually extract oil from processing pits, the new installation uses a modern system that channels oil directly through pipes into collection drums. “The drainage system is good, and the whole place has been cemented so that even during the rainy season we will not have problems,” he added.
According to him, older mills could process only about three farmers in a day, forcing many to wait for several days before their turn. “With our own modern mill, about seven or eight farmers can process their palm nuts in one day. Farmers and millers no longer have to struggle with removing oil manually. Once more, I want to thank Missions Arise Foundation,” he said.
For local farmer Rose Folefo, the new mill represents relief from years of hardship. “When you go to other mills, the machines are always full, and you may stay there for one or two days before your turn comes,” she said, adding that “Now that we have this mill, people will not have to wait for days. We can process our palm nuts faster and under much cleaner conditions.”
Inhabitants believe the facility will particularly benefit women, many of whom depend on palm oil production for their livelihoods. Faster processing means more reliable income, better opportunities for small businesses and improved household welfare.
Creating Employment for Rural Youth
The project is also expected to create employment opportunities for young people through the operation of the mill and related activities, offering meaningful work and reducing rural unemployment.
Father Hubbert Atem of St. Martin de Porres Parish in Bekora said that proceeds from the mill could help sustain pastoral activities and improve conditions at remote mission stations.
“The mission of the Church is to spread the Gospel. Some of our mission stations do not have accommodation for priests or catechists, and transportation remains a major challenge because of the difficult terrain,” he explained.
“We believe this mill can help fund some of these needs, especially transportation. If we can eventually acquire motorcycles for catechists, it will greatly support evangelisation.”
Father Atem thanked Missions Arise Foundation and its benefactors for making the project a reality. “We are grateful, and we hope that this mill project in Bekora will become a stepping stone for many other development projects for the good of the people and for the glory of God,” he said.
With reliable processing now available within the community, farmers can harvest with greater confidence, women can expand their businesses, young people can access employment opportunities, and the Church can strengthen its social and pastoral mission.
About
Missions Arise Foundation (MAF) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving people’s livelihoods through community-led and owned initiatives. They collaborate with local parishes to implement projects in education, healthcare, agriculture, ministry and the lives of priests.
Missions Arise Foundation’s programs are designed to meet the unique needs of the communities we serve. They work with community leaders to identify areas where they can make the greatest impact and develop programs that address those needs. Through various programs, they strive to create a world where every person has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
