The amazing story of how Sikh immigrants saved the Italian cheese industry
A generation of Sikhs have been absorbed into the heart of the Italian cheese industry. This is their story
The next time you have some parmesan cheese, you may want to thank Punjabi Sikhs for making it.
It has largely been an untold story, but Sikh immigrants from India are widely credited for saving the Italian cheese industry.
Over 16,000 Indian migrants are estimated to be working on Italian farms – many of them producing dairy products. Many of them arrived here in the late 90s to find work.
This documentary by Journeyman.TV tells the story of how many Sikhs found work in the Italian agriculture industry because many of the locals were unwilling to put in the hard work.
Northern Italy’s cheese industry was in danger of failing because of labour shortages. But thanks to Sikh migrants, traditional dairies have not only thrived but preserved a slice of Italian culture.
“My dad is from an agriculture tradition, so when he came here he didn’t find that big difference between Punjab and Italy,” says Jasbinder, who now lives and studies in Italy. She considers herself an Italian Sikh.
In many cases, Sikhs didn’t just find a new country where they could earn a living, but also a welcoming environment where they could flourish as Sikhs. They even have their own Gurdwaras.
The town of Pessina Cremonese’s population is now 16% immigrants, mostly Indian Sikhs who settled here over a decade ago.
This short 20 minute film is really worth watching.