Officials of some banks and financial institutions met with Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion to explore ways to ease access to capital for the country's small farmers under the Kapatid Angat Lahat Agri Program (KALAP). This came days after the so-called "big-brother" companies and government agencies began talks to build the roadmap for the program. KALAP is a public-private sector initiative that aims to transform the country's agriculture industry by integrating small farmers into the value chain of large agribusiness companies. Joining the said meeting were Go Negosyo Senior Advisers Dr. William Dar and Josephine Romero. Also present were pioneer big-brother companies represented by Christian Moeller of Lionheart Farms and James Amparo of Yovel East. The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Agriculture Group's Michael Tan was also present. In a statement, the Go Negosyo said the two business personalities shared how their inclusive models can integrate small farmers into their businesses, thus addressing the perceived risks associated with lending to farmers. "Access to capital is one of the elements seen as essential in ensuring the success of agripreneurs, along with mentorship and access to markets," the non-profit organization said. Financial institutions participating in the KALAP meeting expressed their support for the initiative. These included: * Development Bank of the Philippines * Landbank of the Philippines * Philippine National Bank * Metrobank * Bank of the Philippine Islands * Robinsons Bank * BDO Foundation * BDO Network Bank * CARD MRI * Unionbank * Go Digital * KCOOP * Agribank * Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines * Agricultural Credit Policy Council On March 24, some of the country's biggest agriculture companies met to begin the roadmap for KALAP. Central to the discussion was documenting the inclusive business models that KALAP's pioneer big-brother companies are already implementing. During its launch in early March, President Marcos said the private sector-led initiative KALAP would enable farmers and the country's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to become "more productive, profitable, sustainable, and globally competitive." "We know very well how MSMEs are crucial in the creation of new ideas, of jobs and wealth in the country, so it is only right that we recognize the power and the influence that this sector holds," the President said in his speech at the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of agreement on the KALAP program in Malacañang. "We also recognize the role of big corporations in [innovating] MSMEs, spurring their growth, and realizing their potential. Hence, I am very happy to note the objective of the KALAP to integrate small farmers and agri-entrepreneurs into the value chain of large companies," the President pointed out.