The exchange of agricultural experience and knowledge between Member States is key to the competitiveness of agricultural producers. The widespread use of innovations by farmers is essential to achieving a sustainable agricultural sector in our country. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Georgi Sabev during the meeting of the advisors in agriculture from the member states of the European Union. The event was organized by the European Commission, DG Agriculture and the Support Unit of EPI AGRI (European Partnership for Innovation in Agriculture), with the participation of experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Service for Agricultural Advice (NSSZ). Its aim is to find partners and network between advisers, farmers, researchers to support the preparation for Horizon Europe's advisory networks. Deputy Minister Sabev added that in order to achieve this goal, as well as to improve the interaction in the chain "Scientific research - advice in agriculture - agribusiness", the main role will be played by networks and consulting services in the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
He also emphasized that it is very important for Bulgaria to develop and increase the capacity of the NSSZ and to maintain active cooperation at the EU level regarding the networks and consulting services of the CAP. “Other challenges are improving cooperation between farmers and the processing sector, as well as ensuring market access for smallholder farmers by developing short supply chains. Local markets are of great importance for revealing the economic potential of regional traditional foods," added the deputy minister. He explained that adaptation to climate change needs to be achieved through the implementation of ecological and climate-friendly agricultural practices.
According to him, it is necessary to reduce the income gap between the agricultural sector and the rest of the economy, as well as between small and medium farms compared to larger ones. The agrarian deputy minister emphasized that ensuring balanced territorial development, respective development of agricultural holdings in mountainous regions and regions with natural or other specific limitations is a goal to which Bulgaria should strive.
In conclusion, Deputy Minister Georgi Sabev summarized that it is important to create a framework for risk and crisis management for the prevention of natural disasters, diseases and for insurance instruments.
