Moldova Sheep Farm Finds Success with ILO Support
A Moldovan family in Floriceni has transformed their traditional sheep farming into a thriving local business with the help of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Cristina and Vitalie Bârtea, who started with just 10 wedding gift sheep 18 years ago, now run a successful farm selling cheese and expanding their operations.
From Gift to Growing Enterprise:
Cristina, the driving force behind the business, saw potential in modernising their family's livelihood. "We mainly sell fresh cheese," she explains, "with loyal customers in Bălți, Soroca, and Drochia. Our whole family, six of us, are involved." Recognizing the need for formalisation and efficiency, Cristina participated in an ILO-organised competition.
Grant Boosts Growth:
Winning an ILO grant of nearly 82,000 lei allowed Cristina to purchase a hay baler and register the business officially. This investment saved time and money during harvests, propelling their growth. "These courses helped us come out of the shadows," Cristina emphasises. "Now, I dream of expanding the herd, building modern pens, and acquiring milking machines for easier work."
ILO's Rural Impact:
The ILO's 2023 efforts in Soroca and Rezina districts supported over 420 people with entrepreneurial training, placed 260 unemployed individuals in jobs, and aided 150 in starting or expanding businesses like the Bârteas'. This initiative empowers rural communities in Moldova to find success through entrepreneurship.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
