More than 20 years ago, Sergiu Spinei, the founder of Ecobioterra SRL and a Microinvest client, decided to completely change his field of activity and start a business in agriculture. Since then, through experience, trial and error, and responsible decision-making, he has developed his own approach to growth in this sector, based on intensive farming, modern technologies, and investment in high-performance machinery.
Read the interview to discover how his journey began, what lessons more than two decades in agriculture have taught him, why Sergiu Spinei chose to invest in efficiency, and what role his collaboration with Microinvest has played in the development of his business.
How did your journey in agriculture begin, and how has your company evolved since then?
I started working in agriculture in 2005, even though I came from a completely different field. Agriculture is the kind of activity that, once you get involved in it seriously, draws you in and is not so easy to leave. Today, I farm around 600 hectares of land. At one point, we reached as much as 1,700 hectares, but we decided to reduce the area to a level that I consider profitable and that we can manage very well. I am a strong believer in intensive farming done properly and according to the right standards. For me, it is not only about how many hectares you farm, but how well you manage them and what results you achieve. Currently, we grow wheat, sunflowers, peas, and rapeseed, and over the years we have also been involved in projects related to seed production and multiplication.
What does the work process look like throughout an agricultural year?
It is a continuous process, and every stage prepares the next one. At this time of year, for example, we are harvesting sunflowers and storing them, while at the same time already preparing the land for autumn crops. After harvesting, the fields are prepared for rapeseed and wheat so that sowing can be carried out on time. After the autumn crops come the spring crops, and preparation for those also begin well in advance. In practice, throughout the year we are constantly moving from harvesting to soil preparation and then on to the next crop. There are no breaks in agriculture – every task must be done at the right time.
What happens to the crops after harvesting?
After harvesting, the produce is taken to our storage facilities, where it is kept until it is ready to be sold. Later, the grain and other harvested crops are marketed. For us, it is important that the process is well organised not only in the field, but also after harvesting. Otherwise, all the work done throughout the year can go to waste.
Why did you choose to invest in high-performance machinery, despite the high costs involved?
If you want to achieve better results in agriculture, you need to use modern technologies, and for that you also need high-performance machinery. We have invested gradually in equipment over almost 20 years, including with the help of financing. The main advantage is greater efficiency in our operations. Modern machinery allows us to work faster, with better quality, and to reduce the impact of weather conditions as much as possible. Instead of using ten tractors, sometimes the same work can be done with just two high-performance machines in a much shorter period. In agriculture, you cannot afford delays. Every task has to be completed at the right time. At the same time, modern equipment also means better working conditions for machine operators, fewer breakdowns, and a much more efficient overall process.
Sergiu, in your opinion, what role does lending play in the development of an agricultural business?
Without a doubt, it plays a major role. In agriculture, financing can help you move more quickly to the next stage of development. I have also purchased part of our machinery by applying for loans, because some investments are simply too important to postpone. That is why I see lending as an investment in growth – you take the step today, and the results become visible over time.
How did you first hear about Microinvest, and what has mattered most to you in this collaboration?
I first heard about Microinvest almost 20 years ago. I am someone who values time very highly, and that was one of the main reasons I chose to work with Microinvest. For me, the biggest advantage was being able to obtain financing quickly, exactly when I needed it. I do not like bureaucracy or processes that take too long, and in agriculture, time simply does not allow you to wait. That is why I especially value the speed and simplicity of the process at Microinvest.
Have you recommended Microinvest to other farmers or entrepreneurs?
At the beginning of our collaboration, I quite often recommended Microinvest to other entrepreneurs I knew. Now I do it less often, and I will tell you why. Microinvest is already so well known in agriculture that many of my fellow farmers are working with you and are very satisfied. So, there is often no need to recommend you anymore – everyone already knows who they can turn to when they need financing.
*Microinvest is the only financial organisation in Moldova that holds the international GOLD certificate in the field of client protection. The certification reflects a responsible and transparent lending process, fair financing, and a constructive approach to every client request.
