A female entrepreneur from the Republic of Moldova has been included in the list of the 100 remarkable women in the agrifood sector, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry announced.
Dorina Baciu, a producer of artisanal cheeses and president of the OviCaprin Cimișlia-Basarabeasca Cluster, was selected by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for this international recognition.
In a social media post, she said that receiving the recognition in Rome, during the World Food Forum, held special significance for her.
The award was presented to her in Rome by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu during the World Food Forum. Dorina Baciu was nominated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry.
“My story is also about returning home after spending years in Italy. I chose to return to my village, build from scratch, and turn my longing for home into a business and a life project. Returning was not always easy, but it was a choice made with heart, courage, and a desire to contribute to the development of my community.
“Behind every household, every family business, and every local product is a woman who works, believes, builds, and does not give up. A woman who combines caring for her family with responsibility towards the land, nature, and the community,” Dorina Baciu wrote on Facebook.
The entrepreneur emphasises that rural women play an essential role in local development, acting not only as guardians of traditions but also as entrepreneurs and leaders. She draws attention to the need to provide them with more opportunities, access to resources, and support for business development.
International Day of Rural Women is marked annually on October 15 and highlights women’s contributions to agriculture, food security, and the development of rural communities.