1. „My Culture, Your Culture, The Future is (in) Agriculture” № LLP-2013-COM-MP-001 TOPIC: CAREER IN AGRICULTURE SUBTOPIC: CAREER IN AGRICULTURE IN BULGARIA FIRST MEETING in SAN MICHELE AL’ÁDIGE, ITALY /24.02.2014 – 28.02.2014/

2. Agriculture is one of the hottest and most promising sectors of Bulgaria. There are about half a million farms in Bulgaria. More of them are small in size. Their average size is about 9.8 ha. In 2013 cultivated agricultural land occupies about 5.09 million hectares or 45,8% of the total territory of Bulgaria.

3. Among the main crops produced in Bulgaria are tomatoes, peppers, oriental tobacco, grapes, wheat, maize, beans, potatoes, sunflower, peaches, apricots, apples, melons, and nuts. There are traditions in the sheep, pig and cattle breeding, poultry farming, and bee-keeping.

4. FRUITS, VEGETABLES, DAIRY and MEAT PRODUCTS In Bulgaria all conditions present for production of quality fruits, vegetables, wine, dairy and meat! Strong traditions, excellent climate, availability of quality workforce.

5. Bulgaria n national policy aims to develop: ƒ A competitive agriculture in rural areas ƒ Wise management of natural resources ƒ Application of high quality standards for agricultural products. Agriculture is a cause for Bulgaria and the proof of this is that 800 000 people are employed in the agriculture sector, which is 25% of the working population.

6. Most obvious careers in our country are directly related to the farm or ranch. According to a survey done in 2012 in Bulgaria most are agricultural producers of fruits and vegetables- around 23%. Career in Agriculture in BULGARIA

7. In present days agriculture is facing many new challenges and demands. The agricultural industry is a very different industry from that of the past. The industry needs skilled professionals with new ideas, new ways of learning and new ways of producing. There are 98 agricultural high-schools and 4 universities educating the students in Bulgaria. Graduates need to be well trained, skilled, knowledgeable, dynamic thinkers, who are confident and job ready.

8. Career prospects in this new agricultural industry are excellent. There is a massive shortage of skilled professionals in a wide range of positions: agronomists livestock/animal production specialists farm managers agricultural merchandise representatives agricultural researchers Landcare coordinators/managers advisory and technical consultants teachers journalists irrigation specialists marketing professionals rural financial supply officers parks and recreation officers and etc.

9. Today Bulgarian agriculture offers over 200 well-paid and challenging careers.

10. Bulgarian government aims to inspire and attract more young people into the farming industry through: EU and National support programs providing investment subsidy for agriculture projects. NEW from 15 February 2014!!!! Prof. Dimitar Grekov, Minister for Agriculture and Food, announced in Berlin: Larger grants for young farmers and farmers growing fruits and vegetables will be enshrined in the new programming period 2014-2020 of the Common Agricultural Policy. Agricultural high-schools and colleges offering education in modern and innovative farming and animal breeding;; Information campaigns and activity among the rural society; Long-term and short training courses in the field of horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry; International, National and Local competitions /Young Farmer, Best beekeeper and etc./