A BOTTLE OF EGET OLIVE OIL, A STUDENT'S FUTURE

Nejat Altınsoy / July 9, 2026

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In Turkey, agriculture and education are often seen as two independent fields. However, the most solid model of development is one that transforms the bounty of the land into the future of humanity. In Muğla, a quiet but powerful example of this has been implemented for years.

The Education Geriatric Ecological Agriculture Tourism Foundation (EGET) has created a social enterprise model that goes beyond the usual understanding of a foundation. It produces olive oil, garlic, honey, and various natural products using ecological methods; and all of its income is transferred to scholarships for young people who have difficulty continuing their education. In fact, it's not just a liter of olive oil that is sold. Every product purchased contributes to a student's ability to stay in school and continue their education. Therefore, every award EGET receives should not be seen merely as a certificate of quality.

Awards from Japan, from London, medals won at Italy's most prestigious olive oil competitions, the "Premium" award received in Muğla… Each of these is certainly important, as they demonstrate the international recognition of Muğla olives and ecological production. The fact that oils produced from Memecik olives have won awards in the world's most prestigious competitions also signifies the certification of the region's agricultural potential.

However, the true value of these medals lies elsewhere. Because these awards open the door to selling more products, generating more income, and ultimately providing scholarships for more students. In other words, every medal EGET wins represents a new step forward in education.

Today, a significant portion of social responsibility projects in Turkey rely on donation campaigns. Donations are certainly valuable; however, they are not sustainable. Models that produce, create added value, and reinvest it back into society yield much more lasting results. EGET's model is precisely this. It returns the value derived from the land back to society. Production nourishes education, and education nourishes the future.

The olives grown in Yaraş neighborhood of Muğla are not only transformed into high-quality olive oil; they also become a source of support for a university student, covering rent, book expenses, transportation costs, and sometimes even enabling them to stay in school. The award received by the geographically protected Ula garlic grown in Ula Armutçuk is another link in this chain.

Here, the award is not just for a product; it's for the ecological production approach, local agriculture, and culture of solidarity. Today, we often talk about "value-added production." However, one of the areas with the highest added value is education. Investment in education is an investment not only in the future of the individual but also in the future of society. Therefore, EGET's story is not actually the story of olive oil or garlic. It is the story of a model that combines the wisdom of the land with the hope of education.

To summarize, supporting EGET is not just about buying high-quality, natural olive oil or a local product. It is also about supporting a young person on their educational journey. Every EGET product purchased builds an invisible bridge to a student's future. A bottle of olive oil, a head of garlic, or any product produced through ecological methods by the foundation; becomes a shared symbol of environmentally respectful production, local labor, and equal opportunities in education. Every conscious choice we make as consumers today not only means supporting healthy and reliable products; it also fosters an exemplary model of solidarity that contributes to young people's right to education. Therefore, let's make more room for EGET products. Because these products don't just leave a lasting impression on the palate; they leave a permanent mark on a young person's life, their future, and the future of the country.