---
title: "Moldova diaspora family builds greenhouse farm after 15 years in Italy "
url: https://moldova1.md/p/86319/moldova-diaspora-family-builds-greenhouse-farm-after-15-years-in-italy
published: 2026-09-28T08:06:55Z
language: en
author: "Redacția  TRM"
section: "Economic"
source: moldova1.md
---

# Moldova diaspora family builds greenhouse farm after 15 years in Italy 

> After spending 15 years working in Italy, the Țapu family returned to their native village of Buțeni, investing their savings and bank loans into a modern commercial vegetable operation.

[Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Szg5TE5h5I)

After spending 15 years working in Italy, the Țapu family returned to their native village of Buțeni, investing their savings and bank loans into a modern commercial vegetable operation.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/3ae20629-e7b2-4b33-a376-681b3e0d7f57.jpg)

**Modern infrastructure and local employment**

The entrepreneurs established a 1.8-hectare greenhouse complex, purchased directly from Italy, where they cultivate tomatoes and cucumbers between May and October. The venture provides stable employment for over 20 local residents.

*“We chose vegetable farming because we wanted to earn a livelihood at home rather than staying abroad,”* said co-founder Angela Țapu. *“We plant in May and harvest through October before cold weather halts unheated operations.”*

To sustain irrigation, the founders engineered a rainwater harvesting system connected to a retention basin. Pipes channel run-off from the greenhouse roofs directly into the reservoir, allowing water to be pumped back to irrigate the crops efficiently.

**Market barriers and import pressures**

Despite securing distribution agreements with retail supermarket chains in Chișinău, local growers face significant pricing hurdles once seasonal vegetable imports enter the domestic market.

*“Sales start well in May and June, but heavy volumes of imported produce quickly undermine domestic prices,”* Țapu noted. *“We consulted the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry to demand supportive safeguards for domestic capital investments.”*

The family has also expanded into fruit production by planting a 12-hectare plum orchard, though fluctuating yields have limited short-term returns. Despite these headwinds, the founders remain committed to scaling their agrifood business in Moldova.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/84da48c7-8734-4a9a-8ddc-4afb790417d8.jpg)

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