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Digitalization as a Tool for Risk Management in the Agricultural Sector

Author(s): Hristina Harizanova-Bartos / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Risk management is an integral part of the management process of any organization, including in the agricultural sector. The increasing adoption of digital technologies is becoming an essential part of the sector's activities. The aim of this publication is to analyze the opportunities for risk management in the agricultural sector through the introduction of digital activities at both macro and micro levels. Digitalization in agriculture is crucial for managing risks and reducing the negative impact of agricultural activities. It can improve primary production, supply chain, logistics performance, and reduce food losses and waste. However, digitalization may pose risks due to significant investment in digital solutions and lags behind other sectors. Traditional methods often fail to reduce risks, but digital technologies can transform communication channels, build infrastructure, and reduce errors in data entry. By implementing risk management strategies, farmers can obtain more benefits and free up resources for other sectors. At the micro level, new technologies, access to digital markets, and improved risk management are being implemented at the individual farm level, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. The publication includes the following main tasks: 1) a theoretical review of the key risks in the agricultural sector; 2) an analysis of micro and macro risks in the sector that can be managed through digital technologies; and 3) key findings and conclusions. The publication draws its information from both – theoretical sources and agricultural sector research.

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Impact of the Common Agricultural Policy Funds on the Development of the Agricultural Sector, Case Study Romania – Bulgaria

Author(s): Georgiana-Raluca Ladaru,Mariarosaria Lombardi,Ionuţ Laurenţiu Petre / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Romania and Bulgaria are the only European Union member countries for which there was only one treaty upon accession. Thus, joining at the same time, we can consider that the starting point was common, since 2007 projects from European structural and investment funds have been attracted and implemented. The present research aims to identify the implications that European funds granted under the Common Agricultural Policy have had on the two agricultural sectors in the Romania- Bulgaria comparative analysis. or this purpose, data from European and international databases on European structural and investment funds attracted will be used, as well as result indicators that will measure the performance and competitiveness of the agricultural sectors.

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Regional Differences of Greenhouse Gases from Agricultural Activities in Bulgaria

Author(s): Marina Nikolova,Pavlin Bogomilov Pavlov / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The leading role in the implementation of environmental protection and climate change policies belongs to the European Union. In this regard, the European Green Pact includes measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and carbon emissions by 2050. Establishing trends and the intensity of ongoing processes are of particular importance in revealing differences in the development of regions, as well as the need to take adequate measures to reduce and limit them. In this sense, in the article, monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions from the implementation of agricultural activity was carried out. An analysis of the levels and rates of change in greenhouse gas emissions by individual components of Bulgaria's agriculture was carried out for the period 2018 – 2022. In addition, a comparative analysis was made compared to 1990 and compared to 2007. The positioning of the individual regions in Bulgaria regarding the reduction or increase in emissions. The main goal of the study is to analyze the main indicators – carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) for the statistical regions in Bulgaria (North – West, North – Central, North – East, South – East, South – West and South – Central planning regions), regarding the current picture of the state and trends in the levels of greenhouse gas emissions from the activity of economic units in the agrarian sector. The analysis of the dynamics regarding the levels of CO2, CH4 and N2O shows that for all six studied regions a significant decrease in values in 2007 compared to the base year 1990 is characteristic. The percentage decrease is greatest for the North-Central and North-East region (–83.48), followed by the North – West (–57.95). The reduction of methane emissions is more than 60% in different regions, and for N2O it is in the range of –58.99 to –62.03. For the period 2018 – 2022, an increasing trend of the CO2 and N2O indicator is established compared to both the base year 1990 and 2007 in all studied statistical regions. For the same 5-year period, different trends are observed in the methane emissions in the individual studied areas. For three of them NWPR, SEPR and the SCPR, a sustainable reduction in emissions is observed. Despite the decrease in emissions in 2007, for the rest of the 5-year period, an increase is reported for the NCPR and NEPR, especially for the last 3 years. The South –West region is characterized by a decrease that continues until 2019, and for the remaining 3 years emissions increase again.

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Climate Adaptation Readiness of Bulgarian Rural Areas

Author(s): Yanka Kazakova-Mateva / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Adaptation to climate change has been raised on the political agenda since the Paris Agreement (2015). The European Climate Law (2021) recognizes that adaptation as a key component of the long-term response to climate change and requires from member states to enhance their adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability as well as maximize the co-benefits with other policies and legislation at both national and regional levels. Local governments thus became an increasing important actor to prepare and act on climate adaptation. The objective of this paper is to assess the climate adaptation readiness of Bulgarian rural municipalities. The study is based on ord and King’s conceptual model (2015) for assessing adaptation readiness at various governance levels based on factors without which adaptation is unlikely to occur. Four factors are assessed in the study: political leadership on adaptation, institutional organisation for adaptation, availability of usable science to inform decision-making, and funding for adaptation planning, implementation and evaluation. Criteria and scores for assessing the factors are developed to address the Bulgarian context. The analytical method applied is content analysis of municipal policy documents. The Municipal integrated development plans (PIRO) for the 2021 – 2027 programming period are required to address their climate mitigation and adaptation needs in a specific section of the plans. By June 2024, 218 rural municipalities have published their PIROs online and 14 were either not available online or not officially adopted. The results show an average adaptation readiness score across the 218 rural municipalities at 3.22, indicating a ‘fair’ level of readiness. No rural municipalities reached a ‘very good’ or ‘e cellent’ level of readiness; 34% scored ‘poor’ level of readiness, 43% – ‘far’ and 23% – ‘good’. The ‘good’ scores are the highest achieved in this assessment and result from several combinations – a priority is given to adaptation and/or a combination of adaptation measures and/or responsible unit(s) defined and/or budget is estimated. The ‘poor’ scores are achieved in PIRO which tick the bare minimum for the PIRO to be approved – only general discussion of climate issues. A comparison of the results for ‘intermediate’ and ‘predominantly rural’ areas indicate no significant differences between these two categories in the EU rural areas typology. Still, the mapped individual adaptation readiness scores indicate certain geographical clustering of ‘good’ and ‘poor’ scores which requires further assessment.

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Ecological Risk Assessment in Bulgaria

Author(s): Zornitsa Stoyanova / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The pollution of natural resources in Bulgaria and the pressure on ecosystems make environmental risk assessment a necessary tool to overcome or reduce the environmental challenges in the country. Many environmental challenges make the topic of ecological risk assessment in Bulgaria actual and of significant public importance. The causes of ecological risks are complex. With increasing environmental challenges, the assessment of these risks become more complicated and comprehensive and the assessment process in both global and regional contexts is dynamic, developing and changing. Risk assessment is a necessary tool for identifying environmental threats in order to be under-taken a response regarding them. The aim of the paper is to assess the ecological risk in Bulgaria, on this basis to identify the types of ecological risks and outline proposals for their prevention. The methodological framework of the article includes a theoretical review of ecological risk assessment, analysis of environmental indicators in Bulgaria for the period 2013 – 2022, assessment of environ-mental risks in Bulgaria based on a survey. The risk indicators that were assessed are contamination of land resources, contamination of water resources, air quality pollution, biodiversity damage, natural disaster, toxic waste contamination, radiation, pesticide contamination, extreme temperatures and climate change. On the basis of the analyses and assessments, generalized conclusions, proposals and recommendations for ecological risk reduction are prepared. Almost all environmental risks assessed are identified as critical, and the strategy that would be most appropriate to address critical risks is risk avoidance. The recommendations that are proposed are as follows: 1) at institutional level – implementation of systems for continuous monitoring of critical environmental indicators, developing early warning systems for natural disasters and climate change, supporting environmental projects and initiatives, and organizing educational campaigns to raise public awareness; 2)at business level – investment in fixed tangible assets with an environmental purpose, renewing facilities and equipment, investing in safe innovative green technologies, optimizing production processes and reducing production waste, building sustainable supply chains and incorporating sustain-ability into corporate social responsibility; 3) at community and the individual level – collective efforts involving education and awareness raising, sustainable urban planning, effective waste management, public participation and volunteering. These and other measures can help to promote environmental awareness among consumers, while at the same time to be supported policy decisions and initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Implementing environmentally measures and activities at all levels – institutional, business and community in response to the threats would have asynergistic effect in terms of reducing ecological risk and overcoming environmental challenges.

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Agricultural Productivity, Inflation and Farmers Income: A Granger Causality Analysis

Author(s): Zisis Mandanas,Dimitrios Petropoulos,Nikolaos Apostolopoulos / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

This study aims to explore the relationships among agricultural productivity, inflation, and farmers' income in Greece over a period of 33 years. Data: The analysis utilizes annual time-series data sourced from the Food and Agriculture Data Net-work, focusing on Gross Value Added (GVA) in agricultural production, the Producer Price Index (PPI) for agricultural products, and annual average farm household income (AFI). Results: The Granger causality analysis reveals a bidirectional causal relationship between agricul-tural productivity and farmers' income. Additionally, a significant impact of productivity on inflation and inflation on income is observed, indicating that changes in agricultural production value precede variations in producer prices. Conclusions: These findings highlight the complex interactions within the agricultural sector, sug-gesting that enhancing productivity can improve farmers' income while mitigating inflationary pres-sures. The study emphasizes the importance of targeted policies to foster sustainable agricultural growth and economic stability in rural communities.

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Competitiveness of Rural Areas: Methods and Approaches

Author(s): Yovka Bankova,Mariya Peneva / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The study of rural areas’ development is a subject of extensive research and analyses. Globalization and the process of digitalization have significantly increased the intensity and changed the characteristics of competition at any level, starting from firms and moving to the level of regions and countries. Research interest and efforts towards understanding, conceptualizing and evaluating competitiveness at regional level are growing, but yet the number of studies on the topic of rural regions’ competitiveness are quite limited. The paper aims at specifying methods and approaches used so far by studies devoted to regional competitiveness and how they could be applied on the level of rural regions. Three are the main sections of the paper. The first one briefly discusses definitions of regional competitiveness, peculiarities of rural regions, and changes of policies for territorial development. A transformation of rural regions is also underlined. They shift from traditional industrial structure (agriculture and labor extensive manufacturing) towards diversification of economic activities, also through being an option for the location of companies that are digital manufacturers. The second section introduces a classification of methods applied to assess the regional competitiveness. They are divided into two groups regarding the approach on which are based. With the first approach the focus is on the output of the system through different indicators. To this group belong indexes developed by worldwide acknowledged organizations as World Economic Forum, International institute for management development, Food and Agriculture Organization, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, European Commission, and the World Bank, the Index for measuring regional variation and competitiveness (Huovari et al., 2001), Regional competitiveness index (Dijkstra et al, 2023), and DEA method. The second group of methods are more descriptive and they aim at comprehensive analysis to identify the key drivers of regional development, productivity and economic growth. Among them is the Diamond model of Michael Porter (Porter, 1990). The final section discusses the issue of the applicability of methods used on regional level to assess the competitiveness of the rural regions. Conclusions are derived about the appropriateness of the methods for the assessment of rural areas’ competitiveness and a recommendation is given for the benefits of their co-use. One of significant limitations to assess the competitiveness of rural regions is the provision of data. Also, we assume and give some arguments that using a combination of methods, belonging to both groups, would be more effective way to assess the competitiveness of rural regions. The main methods used for the purposes of the research presented in the paper are a desktop research to produce a comprehensive review of the literature, and the methods of analysis and synthesis.

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Demographic Processes and their Impact on Rural Areas: The Example of the Southwest and South-Central Regions

Author(s): Julia Doitchinova,Albena Miteva / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

In a context of rapidly declining populations and deteriorating demographic characteristics, research on the development of implications and causes of spatial disparities is expanding to encompass more and more factors and characteristics of regions. The aim of this paper is to assess the demographic trends in the Southwest and South-Central statistical regions and their implications for rural development. The subject of the study are the territories of the two most populated regions in Bulgaria, which include diverse rural areas – mostly mountainous and semi-mountainous with natural re-sources and potential for economic diversification. They include the two largest cities with characteristics of agglomeration areas, but also the municipalities with the lowest population density. The object of the study are the demographic processes and characteristics and their impact on rural development. A complex methodological approach is applied, which uses and combines quantitative and qualitative methods and thus assesses the impact of the recorded demographic processes and changes. The study was carried out on the basis of information from the population censuses con-ducted in 2011 and 2021, current information of the National Statistical Institute and expert assessment of 57 surveyed specialists in the field of regional development, municipal administration and agrarian economy. The results are analyzed for the nine districts with rural areas in the Southwest and South-Central regions (NUTS3 level). The first part of the report presents and evaluates the changes in the number of the population, as well as some basic characteristics such as educational structure, coefficients of demographic dependence, economic activity, etc. A number of negative trends in the ongoing demo-graphic processes have been assessed, which are most pronounced in the remote and border areas of the territory. In the second part of the report, the expert assessments of the respondents, recruited through a survey conducted in the period September 2023 – April 2024, are presented. They are divided into several areas: assessment of the educational and health infrastructures; assessment of the effects of educational and age structures on the development of rural areas; the impact of migration processes in direction to cities and abroad, etc. A four-point Likert scale was used. The prevailing opinion of the experts is that the level of income, the deteriorating educational and health infrastructures are among the main reasons for the negative demographic processes. They adversely affect entrepreneurial activity, the administrative capacity of local authorities and, in general, the quality of the workforce in rural areas. At the same time, the impacts are more pronounced in remote and border sparsely populated rural areas in the districts of Kardzhali, Smolyan, Kyustendil, Pernik and Blagoevgrad.

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Scenario Analysis to Investigate the Effect of Implementing Compensatory Payments for Reducing Water Erosion in Bulgaria

Author(s): Svetozar Ivanov,Dimitar Nikolov / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Soil degradation due to water erosion presents a critical challenge with far-reaching economic and environmental implications. This article focuses on strategies to enhance the efficacy of agro-ecological interventions aimed at mitigating water erosion. The Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Republic of Bulgaria for the 2023 – 2027 period outlines specific measures, including the “Eco Scheme for Preservation and Restoration of Soil Potential” and the “Eco Scheme for Ecological Maintenance of Permanent Plantations,” to address this issue. For the purposes of this analysis, in addition to the size of compensatory payments, an indicator of the economic value of reduced water erosion is introduced. Three scenarios are simulated, each varying the size of agroecological payments. They are contingent upon specific outcomes achieved in reducing water erosion. The agri-environmental payments from the CAP 2023 – 2027 are tied to agricultural practices and are influenced by both the compensatory payment amount and the agricultural area. In the three scenarios considered, additional indicators include the economic value of reduced soil erosion and the extent of soil erosion reduction attributable to agro-ecological payments. For the purposes of this analysis, seven distinct crop farms located in the Blagoevgrad district were selected. The analysis revealed the necessity for differentiating compensatory payments based on the size of the farms and the specific outcomes achieved. Land degradation is a significant threat to sustainable development, particularly in Southern European countries (Barbayiannis et al., 2011). Farmers, primarily focused on their business operations and profit maximization, often lack awareness or concern for various environmental issues (Taguas and Gómez, 2015). Through their agricultural practices, farmers exert both positive and negative impacts on various processes that not only affect their own farms but also have broader implications for society and ecosystems. The adoption of effective management practices and investments in soil health protection plays a significant role in achieving balance in these processes. This approach leads to a reduction in soil erosion and degradation, enhances water retention, and helps prevent or mitigate the effects of natural disasters: landslides and floods etc. As a result of their activities, farmers have developed various protective systems in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas, where agricultural conditions are more challenging. The construction of stone walls, terracing, and other such elements by engaged farmers provides essential measures for reducing surface erosion and preventing landslides (Agnoletti et al., 2011). Soil erosion is a phenomenon, associated with a series of natural and/or anthropogenic processes of detachment and transfer of soil particles by wind, rain and irrigation waters ( Rousseva, 2008).

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Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Agriculture

Author(s): Iliyana Krasteva / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Modern agriculture faces many opportunities and challenges. In the future, the world population is expected to rise dramatically. This growing population places a demand for increased food production, which will lead to significant damage to the environment and natural ecosystems. For many years, conventional farming practices have been used in agriculture. As a consequence of a number of environmental risks, such as erosion, compaction, salinization, pollution, loss of biological bio-diversity, the quality of agricultural soils is increasingly deteriorating. In this regard, one of the possible solutions to overcome the negative consequences is to implement sustainable farming practices in agriculture. The new Common Agricultural Policy provides a number of instruments and measures aimed at supporting the agricultural sector. The main idea is to invest funds in promoting the implementation of sustainable practices, with the aim of limiting the use of pesticides and chemicals, while at the same time preserving the necessary nutrients, improving soil fertility, leading to efficient and sustainable management of agricultural lands and natural re-sources. This report mainly aims to present some good sustainable agricultural practices implemented by farmers in agriculture. In connection with this, the following tasks are set: outline the role of the Common Agricultural Policy in the context of sustainable agriculture, present good examples of sustainable agricultural practices and, on this basis, derive the main benefits of their application in agriculture. The application of sustainable agricultural practices in agriculture leads to the mitigation of climate change impacts, stabilizes agro-ecosystems and increases their resilience. The protection of the environment and the conservation of natural resources are of priority importance for the production of healthy and safe food in order to improve living conditions in rural areas. As a result of the conducted research, it is established that nature-saving practices provide a number of diverse ecological, social and economic benefits necessary to minimize the negative impacts on the environment. The new CAP lays the foundation for fairer and more sustainable agricultural farming models. Undoubtedly, the application of sustainable agricultural practices is one of the possibilities to achieve long-term sustainability of agriculture and contribute to stimulating the development of the rural economy on a regional, national and global scale.

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Agricultural Dynamics in The EU and the Raw Material Super Cycle

Author(s): George Guerov,Nadezhda Blagoeva,Vanya Georgieva / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

This study aims to explore the impact of the Raw Material Supercycle (RMSC) on agricultural dynamics in the European Union (EU), focusing on key commodity crops such as wheat, maize, barley, sunflower, and the unorthodox but strategic choice of potatoes. The inclusion of potatoes is particularly relevant due to their dietary significance, adaptability to diverse growing conditions, and their potential as a substitute crop during periods of raw material volatility. The research investigates how global raw material trends influence crop production, e port values, and market structures within the EU. Moreover, it seeks to identify key domestic and policy-driven factors that moderate the RMSC’s effects on the agricultural sector. Methodology: Utilizing a multi-method research approach, the study combines regression models with comparative analysis and trend analysis. Regression models are applied to assess the influence of the RMSC on production volumes and e port values of wheat, maize, barley, sunflower, and potatoes. The study contrasts the performance of these crops during different phases of the super cycle, identifying key dependencies and divergent trends across the EU. Furthermore, the study tracks changes in the areas under harvest, yields, and production levels for each crop, providing a nuanced understanding of agricultural dynamics in light of global raw material fluctuations. Key Findings: The study reveals significant correlation between the RMSC and the performance of EU commodity crops. or instance, while France and Italy continue to dominate the e port market for wheat, Bulgaria has emerged as a rising producer, with strong potential for future dominance in this sector. The choice of potatoes, often overlooked in traditional studies, proved insightful, as their unique growing flexibility and substitutive value contributes to mitigating the impact of raw material price volatility. Moreover, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) plays important, but limited in effects role in moderating the global super cycle’s effects by providing subsidies that buffer internal market dynamics. Originality/Scientific Novelty: This research provides an in-depth analysis of how global raw material cycles influence regional agricultural systems, specifically addressing the unorthodox yet strategic role of potatoes. By integrating crop-specific performance during different RMSC phases, it contributes a new understanding of localized agricultural vulnerabilities and resilience. Practical Value/Implications: The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, particularly in crafting agricultural strategies that can anticipate and mitigate the effects of future super cycle phases. Recommendations include targeted investments in crop diversity and substitutable crops, with implications for strengthening agricultural resilience across the EU.

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The Evolution of Associative Forms in Agriculture/Fruit Growing Culture in Romania

Author(s): Nicoleta Marin,Raluca Mitulescu,Iulia Alexandra OPREA,Eliza Gheorghe,Alexandra Rusu / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

In Romania, there is a significant diversity of forms of association that operate in various fields, both based on the activities carried out and on the specifics of the economic branches, at county, regional and national level. This diversity includes, but is not limited to, producer associations, producer groups, cooperatives, branch unions, etc. Over time, the activity of these associative entities has been subject to a legislative framework that has evolved to respond to the specific needs and challenges faced by these organizations. The present study aims to provide a detailed analysis of the evolution of the forms of association in Romania, focusing on identifying the essential similarities and differences between cooperatives and producer groups. This analysis will include an in-depth examination of the organizational structure of cooperatives and producer groups, based on the latest available data on this sector of the economy. In assessing the current state of fruit farms in Romania, a detailed analysis of data from 2005 – 2020 was carried out, considered the most recent source of information at farm level. This assessment was carried out using an approach that considered the legal form of the farms, their physical and economic size, and the development regions in which they are located. Thus, the study will not only bring to the fore relevant information about the fruit sector, but will also contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics and diversity of the forms of association in Romania, providing a solid basis for future research and development in this field. In addition, the analysis will also include aspects related to the impact of climate change on production, as well as consumption trends influencing the fruit market. These elements are essential to outline an overview of the challenges faced by farmers and to identify opportunities for growth and adaptation in the face of global change. We will also examine the role of agricultural policies and subsidies in supporting the sector, highlighting how they can stimulate innovation and sustainability, but also the vocational training of farmers, which has contributed to increasing the number of plantations, the quality of products and their diversification. The importance of European grants thus becomes obvious, as they have not only stimulated the increase in the number of fruit farms, but have also contributed to the development of a more competitive and innovative agricultural economy in Romania.

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Family Farms – A Sustainable Model for the Development of Rural Areas

Author(s): Daniela Tsvyatkova / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The family farm is a unique organizational form that holds significant economic and social importance in rural areas. These farms preserve traditions, customs, history, and authentic folklore and are symbolic of Bulgarian heritage in rural regions. They provide employment for rural households, enhance production efficiency, ensure food security, and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity. The purpose of this study is to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of family farms in promoting sustainable rural development. Motivation for agricultural and non-agricultural activities in rural areas is influenced by various factors, including natural and labor resources, financial support through the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) and state assistance, market conditions, infrastructure, and more. To achieve the research goal, both quantitative and qualitative methods are employed, using representative data and results from comprehensive agricultural censuses, empirical sociological studies, desk research, and internet sources. The involvement of the younger generation in farm ownership and the continued development of small businesses is essential for rural areas, serving as the backbone for economic activity and social structure. Targeted development of family farms will also contribute to the sustainable environmental growth of agriculture in Bulgaria and ensure greater attention to environmental preservation. Additionally, increasing the competitiveness of family farms can, beyond raising employment levels, lead to various secondary effects in rural areas, such as the development of related industries, income growth, risk reduction in agricultural activities, and workforce skill enhancement through experience and knowledge acquisition, as well as the implementation of innovations in production. Family farms possess all the qualities needed to strengthen the economic vitality of rural Bulgaria and to be a significant factor in alleviating rural poverty, both by creating jobs and as consumers of various services provided by other rural residents.

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Status and Trends in the Development of the Beekeeping Sector in Bulgaria

Author(s): Georgi Angelov / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The present study is aimed at the state and trends in the development of beekeeping in Bulgaria. There are not many studies devoted to the problems in the sector, but their importance for the development of beekeeping in Bulgaria is great, therefore clarifying them will improve the development of the sector. The need for the research stems from the fact that, despite the great opportunity for the development of beekeeping available to the country in recent years, the sector is not only not developing, but is facing a catastrophe. The main hypothesis is that beekeeping in Bulgaria, despite the good natural conditions for development, is too far from its potential. This stagnation of the sector has a certain reason. This is where the main goal of the study comes from. To identify the main reason or factor stopping the development of beekeeping in Bulgaria. or this purpose, the main indicators of the state of beekeeping were analyzed. The main channels for the sale of bee honey and the quantities of production realized through them have been tracked. The largest buyers and sellers in the country have been identified and a comparison of the prices offered by them has been made. The external factors affecting the price and demand for Bulgarian honey have been analyzed. As a result, the reasons and circumstances leading to the negative trends in the sector have been established. From the conducted research, we have reason to claim that the most significant factor affecting the development of beekeeping is the profitability of a bee colony. As the low profitability, in this case, stems from the adoption of bad legislative policies by the State and the EU, to the detriment of beekeeping. Which have led to price and quality dumping. As a result, local production is forced to sell at unrealistically low prices and the sector finds itself in great difficulty and on the verge of bankruptcy. Interventions are proposed that would help transform the sector into an attractive and profitable business. But a decisive role for the development of beekeeping remains in the hands of the state and European administration and their legal and financial policies aimed at the sector.

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Some Aspects of Changing the Purpose of Municipal Pastures in The Republic of Bulgaria

Author(s): Valeri Velkovski / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

According to the norm of Article 25, Paragraph 1 of the Law on the Ownership and Use of Agricultural Lands, agricultural land that does not belong to citizens, legal entities or the state is municipal property. Municipal ownership of municipal pastures is public and may be declared private municipal property when the purpose of municipal pastures is changed in accordance with the Law on Municipal Property. Changing the purpose of municipal pastures for the needs of a legal entity and an individual is allowed, according to the regulation of Article 25, Paragraph 7 of the Law on the Ownership and Use of Agricultural Lands, after limited property rights have been established in favor of the person. The change in the purpose of the municipal pastures is carried out in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Law on the Protection of Agricultural Lands. According to the norm of Art. 25, Para. 3 of the Law on the Ownership and Use of Agricultural Lands, a change in the purpose of municipal pastures is permitted as an exception for: construction of technical infrastructure objects, creation of new ones or expansion of construction boundaries of urbanized territories and other cases defined by law. According to the norm of Article 25, Paragraph 4 of the Law on the Ownership and Use of Agricultural Lands, limited property rights and servitudes may be established on municipal pastures, upon change of purpose. The conditions and procedure for changing the way of permanent use of municipal pastures for other agricultural needs are defined as a legal technology in the Regulations for the Implementation of the Law on the Ownership and Use of Agricultural Lands and the Law on the Protection of Agricultural Lands. The bodies that carry out the procedure for changing the purpose are: committees of the regional directorates “Agriculture” and the Commission for Agricultural Lands, according to the regulation of Article 17, Paragraph 1 of the Law on the Protection of Agricultural Lands. The Minister of Agriculture and Food determines the nominal composition of the commissions to the “Agriculture” regional directorates. These commissions include representatives of the regional structures of the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Ministry of Health, the Directorate for National Construction Control under the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, regional administrations, interested agricultural and economic-industrial branch organizations. The Commission for Agricultural Lands supervises the work of the commissions under the regional directorates “Agriculture”.

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Transition to a Sustainable Blue Economy – From a Global Framework to a National Context

Author(s): Atanaska Nikolova / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The sustainable use of ocean and marine resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and the sustainable health of ocean and marine ecosystems is the leading theme of the decade declared by the United Nations General Assembly as the Decade of Ocean Science (Ocean Decade 2021 – 2030). Global challenges related to climate change, overexploitation of natural resources, environmental pollution, as well as intensive urbanization of coastal areas determine the importance and relevance of the transition to a sustainable blue economy. The topic is particularly relevant for Bulgaria, because the sectors of the blue economy make a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the country, but due to the vulnerability of the Black Sea ecosystem, the economic potential of the Bulgarian coastal and marine ecosystem is exposed to the risk of anthropogenic and climatic pressure. Despite the challenges, Bulgaria has the potential to transform the Bulgarian Black Sea coast not only into a center of sustainable economic growth, but also into a model for applying the principles of the blue economy. The publication presents the results of a study whose main objective is to analyze the development of policies related to the transition to a sustainable blue economy in an international, European, regional and national context and to provide an analytical basis for the formation of a recommendations for a policy framework for an effective transition to a sustainable blue economy in Bulgaria. The analytical method applied is a critical review of the framework “external” to the country, which to a large extent regulates the process of transformation of the blue economy sectors, and of key national policies leading the process of transition to the blue economy. Conclusions are drawn for the policy development process for a sustainable blue economy, and key catalysts for accelerating the transition to a sustainable blue economy are identified, such as improved governance, monitoring and control; changing production and consumption patterns ensuring a transition to a low-carbon economy and society, zero pollution and a circular economy; focus on technological innovations and science-based ocean solutions; and involving stakeholders in the process. Recommendations are also formulated for making a transition to a sustainable blue economy at the national level, including changing the models of isolated sector management and investment and developing a national policy framework to provide a platform for improved governance and coordination between institutions and stakeholders in blue economy sectors.

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Sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants in Bulgaria – Waste or Resource

Author(s): Liliya Ananieva / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Environmental pollution leads to significant economic losses, which arise from the costs of waste treatment and management. The need for sustainable management and effective prevention and control measures is essential to reduce these negative impacts and ensure long-term economic growth and social well-being. At the same time, waste represents an opportunity to generate economic value through recycling, composting and the use of waste as raw materials. The management of waste streams and the market for secondary raw materials presents both significant challenges and many opportunities for the modern world. Proper understanding, sustainable management and appropriate utilization of these resources can initiate a new model of interaction with the environment, which in turn can contribute to achieving significant economic and environmental benefits. The object of this study is the sludge from wastewater treatment plants as part of specific waste streams, as well as their management activities and reporting values presented for a 10-year period within Bulgaria. The aggregates related to the sludge generation and recovery activities of the Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) in Bulgaria have been subject to a dynamic development during the last decade. The focus is on their recovery as a resource and not only as a waste. The thesis that by proper treatment, sludge can be transformed into a resource that can in turn be used appropriately in various processes is discussed. This can reduce the need for primary resources and contribute to the sustainable development of particular economic sectors by, for example, favoring intensive farming/agriculture activities and the implications this brings. The main objective of this paper is to classify the main types of waste streams and to look at the current status of sewage sludge and the opportunities for its reuse in the economic cycle. The main challenges and opportunities in the sector will be identified, as well as current effective management strategies and policies. An overview is also given of the legislative framework for sludge management in Bulgaria and the European Union, which plays a key role in regulating sludge recovery. It is essential to note that, under European legislation, sludge is safe where proper management is in place. With that being said, and in the light of the ongoing trends towards sustainable development, there is an increasing need to focus attention on this direction by applying specific sustainable methods for their recovery. The report highlights the importance of sustainable sludge management, with a strong emphasis on the need to continue efforts for sustainable sludge management in Bulgaria and in general.

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Comparative Analysis of the Advantages and Limitations of Action-Based and Performance-Based Agri -Environment Schemes

Author(s): Stanimira Dudova / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The majority of agri-environment payments (AEPs) in the European Union (EU) are action-based payment schemes that impose specific agricultural management requirements on farmers. These schemes offer clear and specific instructions for farmers, making them easier to understand and implement. They also provide stable and predictable income which helps farmers with handling the financial risks. However, they do not always deliver the desired environmental outcomes and their effectiveness in protecting biodiversity is limited. This paper outlines some of the limitations of the action-based ecological schemes including their lack of flexibility when it comes to addressing the specific needs and conditions of the farmland and their economic inefficiency as in some cases re-sources are being spend on actions that do not always lead to significant environmental benefits. To increase their effectiveness, it may be useful to integrate result-based schemes that link payments to specific ecological results. Result-based ecological schemes give freedom to farmers to adapt their farming practices to the specific conditions of their land. They provide financial incentives for farmers to achieve measurable environmental benefits such as improved biodiversity, water quality, soil health and other ecosystem services. Existing result-based payments are mainly aimed at maintaining threatened habitats or priority species for conservation. This type of payments give freedom to farmers to adapt their farming practices to the specific conditions of their land. In general, result-based agri-environmental schemes are successful when the cause-effect relationships between farming practices and environmental objectives are well established and can be represented by single or combined indicators. Despite the distinct advantages, results-based schemes face certain challenges – not all biodiversity targets can be measured by indicators; isolation and fragmentation of species and habitats; increased economic risk for farmers; need for appropriate advisory support. To overcome the specific limitations of the two types of environmental schemes, it would be useful to consider a hybrid approach that combines payments for actions and payments for results. The current report provides examples for the implementation of result-based schemes in Germany, Switzerland and Ireland. These countries were selected as they have one of the longest running and best designed result-based payment schemes in Europe. They can be used as a basis for the further development and application of result-based schemes. The aim of this report is to discuss the advantages and limitations of action-based and result-based agri environment schemes. A comparative analysis of the two types of agri-environmental schemes was carried out based on the existing scientific literature.

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Contribution of European Programs to Development – Competitiveness – Innovation and Generally to The Economy for The Region of Peloponnese Over the Last 20 Years in The Field of Manufacturing

Author(s): Georgius Kyriakopoulos,Dimitrios Petropoulos / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

This research analyzes the contribution of European programs regarding the enhancement of innovation and competitiveness for manufacturing in the Peloponnese Region for the last 20 years. It touches on the relationship between NSR programs and the funding provided to local manufacturing businesses, as well as the impact of changes on sustainability and development. Particular emphasis is placed on assessing how these programs contribute to improving production, promoting technological innovation and enhancing competitiveness at international level. The research focuses on strategies adopted by companies to utilize financial tools to modernize as well as the challenges they face in applying new technologies for sustainable development requirements. In this context, the role of the Structural funds in reforming industrial production and their contribution to the long-term development of the region is examined. The results of the survey aim to continue the economic development of the Peloponnese Region and emphasize the need to enhance sustainability, growth and innovation, with the main objective of consolidating competitive dynamics in manufacturing industry. The European Union plays a very important role in promoting regional development, competitive-ness in the Member States, innovation and a number of strategic financing initiatives. Over the last 20 years, the Peloponnese region in Greece has benefited significantly from these programs, particularly in the manufacturing sector. This paper aims to e amine the contribution of European pro-grams to the economic transformation and development of the Peloponnese, focusing on the manufacturing industry of the region.

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Exploring Theoretical and Methodological Approaches for Analyzing Structural Changes in Agriculture: A Focus On Bulgaria

Author(s): Khulan Khurelbaatar / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

This paper presents a comprehensive framework for analyzing structural changes in Bulgaria's agri-cultural sector, focusing on the period following the country’s accession to the European Union (EU). The integration into the EU has brought major transformation in the country, especially in the agricultural sector, as the country implemented the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and adapted its regulatory and economic governance. The framework developed in this study is based on an extensive literature review and uses analysis and synthesis as the main scientific methods to explore the multifaceted evolution of the sector. The study presents an initial assessment of the current changes and identifies key drivers utilizing statistical and comparative analysis. The index, structural and correlation assessments revealed key trends including a decline in the number of agricultural holdings and a simultaneous increase in the average size of farms. These structural changes indicate a process of land consolidation and resulted in a dualistic structure, driven by the market forces and policy incentives. Furthermore, there have been significant shifts in production specialization, including increased specialization in certain crop types and a decline in livestock production which led to imbalanced crop and animal output, mainly due to the direct payments. These shifts are ac companied by ongoing challenges in competitiveness, particularly in smaller farms that struggle to integrate into the market, and financial support distribution remains uneven. Moreover, the lack of young skilled workers led to demographic changes and declined agricultural employment. Thus, important key drivers and their effect on the productivity, size of the farms, and the economic development are identified. The analysis conducted in this study offers valuable insights and a comprehensive understanding of these complex and multifaceted changes. It is suitable to support the foundation for informed policy-making and strategic planning and signify the importance of targeted policies directed at ensuring fair distribution of financial support, enhancing competitiveness, and addressing inequalities to achieve balanced economic development.

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