Dorina Baciu named among FAO’s 100 women heroes
The FAO has named Moldovan cheesemaker Dorina Baciu among its 100 Women Heroes, recognizing women around the world who contribute to agrifood systems and rural development.
From Italy to Moldova
After living and working in Italy for years, Baciu returned to the Republic of Moldova to build a family business producing aged cheese using Italian techniques adapted to local milk.
Her interest in cheesemaking grew from her family’s experience with sheep farming and her husband’s work in the dairy industry. Although she had a law degree, she decided to pursue a different career.
“We decided to bring home not the kind of cheese available at the time, in 2017, but aged cheese made using Italian technology adapted to our milk,” Baciu said in an interview with journalist Svetlana Bogatu on Radio Moldova.
Two years to secure approval
Establishing the business was not straightforward. At the time, Moldova’s legislation did not explicitly cover raw milk production in the way required for her products, Baciu said.
She and her family developed a production process and submitted their cheeses for testing to demonstrate that raw sheep’s and goat’s milk could be used to make aged cheese. According to Baciu, obtaining approval from the National Food Safety Agency took two years.
Building trust with consumers
In the early years, Baciu took part in tastings to introduce consumers to her natural products. An invitation to the EcoLocal fair in 2018 gave her an opportunity to present the cheeses directly and explain how they were made.
Meeting customers face to face also helped her communicate the story behind the products and the work involved in producing them.
A family business with a wider impact
Baciu said the international recognition came as a surprise, particularly because the business had grown from a small family operation in a rural community where finding workers remains difficult.
“We have received several awards, which in a way set us apart for our involvement in agri-food products, civil society and rural communities,” she said.
The family has relied largely on its own labour, she added, working within the limits of its resources.
Her advice to young entrepreneurs is to remain committed to their goals.
“If you believe in something, do not give up. We have been on the market for ten years, and we have never given up,” Baciu said.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
RELATED COVERAGE
- Moldova Sheep Farm Finds Success with ILO Support
- Moldovan farmer expands flock to 600 sheep in Todiresti
- “Cămara Fest” gathers local producers and food lovers in Alunelul Park
- Dozens of women entrepreneurs participate in the Cămara Fest fair in Chisinau
- Moldova farmers receive $40,000 in emergency farming support
