Former Scientist Launches Successful Apiary Business in Azerbaijan with Guidance from FtF Volunteers

In the days of the Soviet Union, Latif Ginyetoglu studied chemistry at Moscow State University as an exchange student from Azerbaijan State University. After graduation, he worked in a lab in Moscow. In 1990 the Soviet Union collapsed, and support for various scientific institutions dwindled. Financially strapped, Ginyetoglu returned to Baku, Azerbaijan, and worked for an oil industry-related research organization. However, his salary became insufficient to support him due to hyperinflation, and Ginyetoglu was forced to return to his village, Bash Kujut. There, he taught chemistry in the local school and managed a small plot of land, some cattle and 23 beehives. His income was barely enough to support his family and parents.

Since 1996, ACDI/VOCA has been successfully implementing the USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer (FtF) program in Azerbaijan and Ginyetoglu was one of the first farmers participate in the program, which facilitates people-to-people learning and is designed to improve farm and agribusiness operations and agricultural systems. Over time, Ginyetoglu hosted six FtF volunteers who taught him about various aspects of beekeeping and how to expand his apiary business. One of the volunteers even invited him to the United States. Ginyetoglu accepted and visited using his own funds and received advanced training in beekeeping.

For the last 10 years, with ongoing help from FtF Volunteers, Ginyetoglu has made significant progress in developing his business. His production has expanded from 23 beehives and 15 kg of harvested honey to 300 beehives and 12 MT of honey. Ginyetoglu’s business has grown out of a $700 loan from his brother into a successful business that earns $120,000 annually and employs 13 permanent employees. He now has new equipment, hives, storage facilities and trucks, which were bought from the honey profits. Ginyetoglu improved not only his and his family members’ living but has made his business a prominent registered LLC. He credits ACDI/VOCA and the invaluable skills of its FtF volunteers with playing a significant part in building his business.