“Many families like my own have orchards filled with fruit trees in the Pamirs. These trees produce more fruit than can be consumed. Families dried much of the fruit for their own consumption but, because of oversaturation of the market, it is not profitable to sell at the local markets in the Pamirs. It is incredibly expensive to transport and sell in other parts of Tajikistan. This meant that every house has fruit that litters the base of trees and floors of the orchard, rotting.

After the war, my family and I saw an opportunity in mulberry bars. My brother and I started the business. My father was a lawyer, and became our advisor. My mother is a teacher and also supported us. We decided on a sustainable, non-wasteful use of these surplus fruits. Since 2009, we have conducted an eco-friendly, empowering business model.