The country's rural banks were urged to implement innovative financing programs to serve more small farmers, fishers and rural entrepreneurs. Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala urged members of the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) to partner with the DA to successfully implement the Agro-Industry Modernization Credit and Financing Program (AMCFP). In its official website, the DA said last year, loan releases under the AMCFP through cooperative rural banks totaled P1.12 billion, more than double the P446 million lent in 2011.

Rural banks urged to lend more to farmers, fishers. (2013, June 17). The Daily Guardian, p. B1.