site.btaSoil Quality Is Getting Worse Due to Overuse of Chemicals, Solution Is in Organic Farming and Farmer Literacy

The problem with overuse of chemicals in agriculture is becoming more and more serious, as the quality of soil is deteriorating, Dr. Peter Yankov from the Department of Crop Science at the Technical University in Varna told BTA. He believes that the key to addressing this issue is in precision farming, organic practices and improving farmers’ literacy. 

Yankov explained that for years Bulgarian farmers have been aiming for higher output and cared little for sustainability. Excessive use of mineral fertilizers, especially nitrogen fertilizers, is very common. 

“Producers cannot completely avoid the use of chemicals, but it must be within reasonable limits,” the expert said. „The profitability of agricultural production is enhanced by sustainability, and especially today, with climate change leading to serious periods of drought, everything needs to be rethought,” he added.

The Varna Technical University Department of Crop Science has an experimental field with a vineyard, where modern techniques are applied and vines are traditionally pruned on the feast day of Saint Tryphon, February 14.

Literacy is essential

Dr. Yankov stresses the importance of farmers knowing their own crops, where the soil is rich in nutrients and where it is not. He is adamant that there is a need for literacy and for knowledgeable farmers. "Nowadays one can easily check the quality of soil on his land but unfortunately very few farmers do so", Yankov added. 

He is happy that young farmers lead the way. "We have students who are engaged in agriculture, they know what to do and they do not lose out on their profits."

Miroslav Ivanov, a professor at Dr. Yankov’s department and an expert at the Institute of Viticulture and Enology in Pleven, agrees that "organics will save agriculture". He explained that there are already large farmers who are switching to organic fertilization and totally skip chemical soil improvers. This is the way to restore the soil and bring back its fertility,” Ivanov explained.