"ABAD" beneficiary: Tarzan Nazirov | Beneficiaries

"ABAD" beneficiary: Tarzan Nazirov | Region: Astara | Honey

Tarzan Nazirov, a dedicated and industrious member of the ABAD community, hails from the village of Miki in the Astara region of Azerbaijan. Coming from a family with a longstanding tradition in apiculture, Mr. Nazirov has been actively engaged in beekeeping for over 20 years. He currently carries forward the family’s legacy with a deep sense of responsibility, aiming to preserve and transmit this ancestral craft to future generations.

At present, Mr. Nazirov manages 32 bee colonies, marketed under the name “Southern Variety.” The majority of his colonies are kept on his homestead in Miki village. However, to diversify his honey varieties and improve product quality, he practices transhumance beekeeping — relocating his hives during the active season to ecologically rich areas such as the Hirkan National Park, as well as the Bilasuvar and Masalli districts.

A significant portion of his harvest consists of citrus honey, which is particularly notable for its distinctive aroma and flavor profile. On average, Mr. Nazirov produces over 500 kilograms of premium-quality honey annually.

Despite his success in production, Mr. Nazirov has faced challenges in marketing and selling his products. One of the key obstacles has been customer skepticism regarding honey authenticity and quality — a common issue among small-scale producers. As he explains:

“Buyers often had concerns about the purity of honey, which made sales difficult. However, with ABAD’s support, I am confident that our honey — now branded as ‘Shanli’ — will earn its rightful place in the market. Our products are of exceptionally high quality and are 100% natural.”

Packaging was another critical challenge. The family lacked access to market-oriented packaging formats and weights, which limited their ability to meet consumer demand and expand to retail spaces. Through ABAD’s assistance, the Nazirov family received the necessary technical and logistical support to professionalize their product presentation.

Today, Shanli Honey is fully packaged in compliance with market standards and offered for sale through ABAD’s Handicraft and Sales Centers, bringing high-quality, natural Azerbaijani honey to a broader audience.