Reviving Do: A Woman Farmer’s Savoury Triumph

09/03/2026

For many years, Nino Nugzarashvili lived far from her village, learning the art of cheese-making from eco-migrants in the mountainous Tsalka Municipality of Georgia and the retired director of a local dairy factory. “They taught me the secrets of Sulguni, Imeruli, and ‘industrial-style’ cheeses,” she recalls. “I realised that using this knowledge, I could help my family move forward.”

Nino returned to her native village in Kaspi six years ago with just two cows. From them, she began producing cheese, butter, and Do, a rare fermented milk product almost lost in Georgia. “Do has a tangy taste and a rich history,” she explains. “It was disappearing from our markets, and I wanted to bring it back—one scoop at a time.” Using both traditional methods and modern equipment, she has slowly reintroduced this delicacy to local markets. “When we shared that we were making Do, the market responded immediately—it was in high demand,” she says.

Her work has not only revived a cultural product but also empowered other women in her community. With support from FAO, provided within the framework of the fourth phase of the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD IV), funded by the European Union (EU) and Sweden, Nino attended training sessions on food safety in dairy production and basic tools such as cheese moulds and thermometers. She also obtained a matching grant to purchase equipment, including a pasteurizer and milk cooler. “FAO’s help made it possible to combine old and new methods. I especially love the pasteurizer—it ensures children can safely enjoy my Do and cheeses,” she explains.

Nino’s determination has transformed her life and inspires many women farmers. “Although some challenges of recognition and access to information in agriculture still remain for women, many of them are proud owners, with strong market connections and economic independence,” she reflects.

Beyond being a farmer, Nino also works as a nurse. Yet, her greatest satisfaction comes from perfecting dairy production, including Do, and sharing it with people alongside her other products. “Watching customers enjoy clean, healthy food gives me more joy than anything else,” she says.

Looking ahead, she plans to expand her production space and experiment with dairy and Do-based products. She dreams of sharing these goods at international conferences, proudly presenting Georgia’s culinary heritage.

“Empowering women in agriculture strengthens families and communities,” Nino says. “When women succeed, everyone benefits.”

About ENPARD

The EU supports rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Aiming to reduce rural poverty, ENPARD has been implemented since 2013. The Programme started by supporting the development of the national agriculture potential. Subsequently, it also concentrated on creating economic opportunities for rural populations in Georgia. Since 2021, the Programme has also been working on improving food safety in the country, with additional support from Sweden and with FAO and the Czech Development Agency as the main implementers of this food safety component under ENPARD IV. 

This article has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.