From abroad to farming: An apricot success story
After 12 years of working abroad, Alexei Mihalache returned to his hometown of Costești in Ialoveni. He planted an apricot orchard and established a family business. Today, he works alongside his wife and the villagers. Alexei's motivation comes from the sense of freedom he feels at home.
Apricots require careful attention, as their fruits do not ripen simultaneously. Therefore, they must be harvested in several stages. Timely picking is crucial to maintain their taste and appearance for sale.
"We earn some money here too; it's hard to make a living, but we work. Without work, we have no future. I came back home because I thought it would be better and easier for me in the future. I returned because I want to be close to my family. Home is your land, where you know you are free," said fruit grower Alexei Mihalache.
Initially, the Mihalaches received subsidies from the state—15,000 lei per hectare planted with apricots. Later, they purchased a tractor with funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development, which covered 40 percent of the costs.
"We used this grant, and it helped us a lot. For us young people, who had a very difficult start at that time, it was useful and much appreciated," said Alexei Mihalache.
"My role is more of a support function. Yes, I am also on the fields, especially now that spring picking and cleaning have started. We don't entrust this work to anyone else; my husband, my mother-in-law, and I handle it ourselves," said Ana Mihalache, the fruit grower's wife.
"As long as you are healthy and strong, it's not difficult. I help out the family and my children because they are the only ones I have here. We also call on relatives for help with tasks that we cannot manage on our own," said Maria Dumitriu, Alexei Mihalache's mother-in-law.
The Mihalache family also employs people from the village. The picking work begins early in the morning.
“We try to pick the fruit carefully to avoid damaging it. The quality must be good for proper transportation. It’s difficult for us to collect everything at once in a box.”
“We work carefully to avoid breaking the branches or falling from the trees. I enjoy it.”
You can find more stories about people who work in the villages every Sunday on the show “Land and People” on Moldova 1.
