FOR its 35th anniversary, a Cebu-based chain of agrivet stores vowed to continue its legacy of providing quality livestock products with affordable prices.

Joshua de Manuel, owner of JM Poultry and Livestock Supply Inc., promised to carry on their tradition of quality service to their customers.

“We promise to be the most complete agri-business store to cater to their needs. A one-stop shop, from feeding, medicines and equipment, and technical support for farmers. It’s more about helping the farmers grow their livestock. We have one line of brand; it’s all premium. What their animal needs, we give to them without any shortcuts,” he said.

Last Saturday, Feb. 9, the first day of their week-long anniversary celebration, the JM Basak, Mandaue branch gave free veterinary consultation, free veterinary medicines, shirts and pens as giveaways, and free snacks to their customers for the day.

“This is not the original date. The original date is Feb. 1, 1984. We chose Feb. 9 because I believe it is a good day to celebrate,” he said.

“We had a pig school and layer school in the north area for the anniversary. Pig school is like a seminar on how to raise pigs, and layer school is how to raise chickens,” he added.

JM Poultry and Livestock Supply was founded on Feb. 1, 1984 by his parents Elenita and Avelino de Manuel.

“Both my mom and dad studied agricultural courses. My dad was a veterinarian. They put up this business in order to cater to the farmers,” he said.

Joshua said his mother stayed in the store while his father went out on the field to market their goods, particularly the feeds.

The chain has around 89 branches nationwide, with 22 branches in Cebu. These include branches in Basak, Mandaue City (their first store), Sanciangko and Taboan in Cebu City, Consolacion, Catmon, Danao City, Bogo City, Lapu-Lapu City, City of Naga, Carcar City, Santander and Dalaguete.

JM Poultry and Livestock has over 700 employees whom Joshua considers his business’s most important asset.

“What sets us apart is our people are equipped. If the customers come inside (our store) or they ask questions, they (employees) are able to answer it. Before they are deployed, they have to undergo three months of training. We send them to the farm; we send to accounting and finance and train them to manage people,” he added.

The company also gives scholarships to students as its corporate social responsibility initiative.

The company is sponsoring 10 scholars, while their employees’ children who are in college are supported by the company, as long as they maintain a certain grade average. They are also given an exam before they are able to avail themselves of the scholarship.

According to Joshua, some of his scholars’ dedication to give back to his company, even without them being required to, is heart-warming.

“Wa mi nagpugos nga mosud sila sa kompanya (We don’t force them to join the company). They want to help the company and their loyalty is to the company.”