My childhood was spent among my grandfather’s olive groves and vegetable gardens. The love I developed for the soil during those years led me to dream that one day I would build a life connected to agriculture. Throughout the 2000s, during my work in Turkey and abroad, I observed that it would become increasingly difficult to access agriculture and healthy food for the future of our world.”

 

This awareness helped me realize how important it was to engage in agricultural production. The moment my dream turned into a life purpose was in 2019, when I decided to start a family. With the strength and heartfelt bond that comes with becoming a family—and with the support of wonderful people who share the values I believe in—I founded SOMTAR AGRICULTURE COMPANY.

 

SOMTAR AGRICULTURE operates in the field of aromatic and medicinal plants, which contain valuable properties that support a healthy and long life.

 

For our main product, garlic, we carried out years of selective breeding work on İzmir’s fertile lands. After five years, we developed a unique garlic seed with a distinctive aroma and flavor that we call ‘İzmir Garlic’.

 

In addition, focusing on my special interest in hot peppers and their importance for health, I decided to launch a project to produce pepper extracts from various pepper varieties across Turkey. We brought this project to life by leveraging SOMTAR’s production capabilities and supporting local family producers. Our goal is to protect and sustain special native pepper varieties and to bring 100% natural, healthy products to pepper lovers through traditional production methods.

 

As a result of four years of R&D covering every stage from soil to table, we reached the operational phase of pepper extract production as of 2024. In this process, to contribute to the brand value of products unique to our country, we created the brands AROMATİK ATÖLYE and AJİİ and completed their trademark registrations.

 

AROMATİK ATÖLYE is our umbrella brand covering all aromatic and medicinal products produced by SOMTAR AGRICULTURE or produced under our supervision. AJİİ, on the other hand, is a dedicated brand focused on hot peppers, bringing natural pepper products and innovative variations to the tables of valued pepper lovers.

 

Our purpose is to increase access to food that is both healthy and delicious, and in doing so, contribute to the agricultural and cultural values of our country.

 

With love,

Sertan GIVCI

Founder