5. Organic farming in Bulgaria – perspectives and challenges

Organic farming as an alternative to conventional production has been the subject of serious debate in the scientific world over the last two decades. Organic farming is an important feature of the Common Agricultural Policy for the 2014-2020 period and a priority in national policy. Bulgaria is the Member-state in the European Union, which has achieved the highest growth of organic farming in recent years. For 2010-2016, the increase of the utilized agricultural area in the sector is about 35%. The aim of the study is based on the analysis of the trends in organic farming in the country to outline the challenges and prospects for the post-2020 period. In the survey are applied various methods and approaches.

The study uses comparative, historical, monographic methods, as well as analysis of dynamics. The results of the survey show an increase in the number of organic operators and the size of the area in a control system as well as an expansion in the diversity of crops and livestock. The future development of the sector is associated with a consistent national agricultural policy because organic production as an alternative model could stimulate not only sustainable development but also the revival of the Bulgarian village.