RAZONABLE AGRICULTURAL INPUTS DISTRIBUTOR INCORPORATED

by Rockme C. Peligro

It started on February 10, 1982 when Mr. Delfin Razonable opened his first agricultural supply store at Kidapawan City, Cotabato. Kidapawan Agricultural Supply started with P3,000 to open an account at the bank for him to be able to issue PDC to his suppliers. In later years, he gradually got support from the banks and loyal customers who came from various locations in the province of Cotabato. He became a distributor of AFC products in 1990 with his first purchase of 200 bags of SG (16-20-0). In the past, AFC was not the market leader in the area but with the constant support from the Atlas Management, farmers gradually accepted AFC fertilizer products especially the Top Dress grade (17-0-17), which is currently experiencing a surge in demand from farmers in the area.

The customer acceptance of AFC products, coupled with the continuous marketing promotion of Mr. Razonable of these products to his loyal customers enabled him to expand his business into the neighboring provinces. He started distributing fertilizer products in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and as far as Maguindanao province. One of his strengths in the business is his capability to deliver products to his customers when and where they need it. He owns several trucks for delivering his products and he was also able to establish his own warehouse.

In 2008, drought was experienced in Mindanao that lasted for several months and farmers were greatly affected, including the business of Mr. Razonable. Despite the predicament, he was able to get thru it with the help of his family. It was a year of challenge to him, but he went thru it. Regaining his momentum back, he was able to recover what was lost and managed the risk in his business.

With all those challenges that keep coming in for the last 32 years, he was able to get through it. He may be battered, scarred and soiled, he stands up again, claims his balance and rides again the wheel of uncertainty. Today, these challenges are no longer tackled by him alone, with his wife Minda, and children Dexter, Lois and JR, they now share and manage the entire business as Kidapawan Agri Supply became Razonable Agricultural Inputs Distributor Inc., with their siblings as co-owners.

One of the greatest aspects of entrepreneurship is that it is truly open to all. There are no limitations to the number or type of individuals who can choose entrepreneurship and succeed – it is essentially limitless. The only limiting factor is you, people like you and me are qualified *. All you have to do I think is to get out of your comfort zone and make your way to entrepreneurship like what Mr. Razonable did.

(Mr. Delfin K. Razonable Sr. was an employee at Victor Callao Enterprise as store in-charge and as a purchaser in Kidawapan City in 1977. He resigned and open his own agri-business. His previous employment help him a lot in starting his own business.)

*Adam Toren – entrepreneur, mentor & investor.

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