Moldovan Dairy Farmers Hit Two Million Lei in Sales
Milk producers increase revenue by 50% after co-op registration
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Maria Leahu is one of 500 villagers who bring their fresh milk to the co-op daily and receive timely payment and value-added services available members
PHOTO CREDIT: Oleg Brinza/CNGA, Cainarii Vechi/Moldova |
When Liudmila Serepitco, a retired teacher in Cainarii Vechi, started a modest milk collection point 8 years ago, she had no idea that her attempt at entrepreneurship would touch the lives of so many of her neighbors. Not until she hosted her first volunteer through the USAID-funded Agribusiness Volunteer Program did she realize the untapped potential of forming a cooperative of dairy producers. After two years of collaboration with Farmer-to-Farmer volunteers, co-op sales reached 2 million Lei (over $150,000 USD) in 2004—and yielded a 56% increase in individual farmers’ incomes over the previous year.
Over 300 dairy farmers used veterinary services available through their co-op and reported higher milk yields as a result. Manager Ljudmila and co-op member Maria look forward to another productive year. They are certain that farmers’ surplus milk will always have a market, thanks to a solid contract established between the co-op and local dairy processing plant.
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