Almaz Hashimova, born in 1953 in Fuzuli city, is a historian by education and an ABAD-supported artisan specializing in non-industrial food production. Raised in a family long engaged in agriculture, Almaz continued working in farming in her native Fuzuli after completing her university studies. Following the First Karabakh War, she and her family settled as internally displaced persons in Mahmudlu-2 village, Fuzuli district.

In their new home, the family acquired livestock and initially used the milk, yogurt, and butter for personal needs. As their herd grew, so did their surplus, prompting Almaz to explore selling these products to support the family budget. She recalls, “The local market wasn’t enough to sustain us. When we heard about ABAD and its initiatives, we saw an opportunity. We decided producing clarified butter would be the most profitable.”

Almaz emphasizes the importance of natural, additive-free products, noting that many market butters contain harmful chemical additives. “We aim to produce pure, fragrant butter that satisfies customers and benefits our business,” she says. Recognizing local demand for natural clarified butter, the family pursued this venture with ABAD’s guidance.

To start production, they needed a dedicated facility. “We built a compact workshop and equipped it with the necessary tools,” Almaz explains. After the facility was ready, ABAD specialists and food technologists inspected it, ensuring compliance with standards. The family then applied for required certifications through the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency. Once documentation was complete, full-scale clarified butter production began.

Initially, Almaz, her son, and daughter-in-law managed the operation. As demand grew, they hired an additional worker. ABAD provided glass jars, lids, labels, and other materials for packaging. “Over nearly two years, the increasing orders show the market’s demand for our product,” Almaz notes. Their clarified butter is now sold through ABAD at ethno-boutiques, and grocery stores.

With their family’s income rising, the Hashimovs plan to expand their dairy offerings to include cheese and curd. “The demand for natural foods and our success in this field open great opportunities to grow our production,” Almaz says, envisioning a broader impact on their community and Azerbaijan’s artisanal food sector.