Moldovan woman transforms cherry orchard into business
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In Catranîc village, Moldova, Natalia Dumbravă and her family developed “Vișinella”, a business that processes cherries from their orchard.
Natalia, a former physics and computer science teacher, combined teaching with developing the family business for years. She later left her position as assistant school principal to focus fully on entrepreneurship, while continuing to teach a few hours each week.
The family started cultivating cherries in 2019, and when low prices for fresh fruit threatened their investment, Natalia decided to process the cherries into preserves, dried fruit, and other canned goods. They now sell these products locally and at trade shows. Natalia invested in equipment like a cherry pitting machine, dehydrator, and autoclave with funds from entrepreneurship support programs.
Currently, Natalia is prioritizing the construction of a processing facility near the orchard to expand production, certify her products, and access new markets. She received financial support, training, and mentorship through programs like “Prietenește pentru Femei” (implemented by UN Women and EFES) and “She Leads” (run by AFAD and Global Business Access, funded by the European Union).
These programs also enabled Natalia to showcase her products at events like RIGA FOOD 2025 and “Produs Autohton 2026”, helping her establish business contacts. During peak seasons, Natalia employs 12 women from her community to help with processing and packaging, providing them with income and allowing them to stay near their families. She believes rural women need more opportunities and support to start their own businesses.
