Development of Agrarian Structures in Bulgaria: From Productive Cooperatives to Sole Traders and Partnerships

The aim of the paper is to analyze the reasons for the still continuing organizational restructuring and for the transition of Bulgarian agriculture from collective cooperative forms to prevailing sole proprietors and small size collective partnerships based on stake principle. The conclusions and assessments in the paper are based on the data from 2003 Census of agricultural holdings and on results from two research regional projects: "The Land-leasing model of agriculture in Dobrich region" and "Integrated development of rural regions in Haskovo area".agricultural productive cooperatives, partnerships, sole proprietors, Agribusiness,

MULTIFUNCTIONAL AGRICULTURE IN BULGARIA - OPPORTUNITIES AND PROSPECTS

The purpose of the paper is to analyze and to assess the status of the multifunctional agriculture in Bulgaria and on the basis of the attitudes of the agricultural producers to develop such activity to suggest trends for strengthening their adaptation to CAP conditions. The paper presents the main results from a scientific research of a team from the University of National and World Economy, Department “Economy of Natural Resources”, Agribusiness Section - Sofia, Bulgaria (2006-2007).multifunctional agriculture, multifunctional agricultural holding, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development,

THE LESSONS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROBLEMS OF PRODUCTION COOPERATIVE IN BULGARIAN AGRICULTURE

In the paper are depicted the lessons and the problems of functioning and restructuring of cooperative structures in agricultural sector in Bulgaria during the pre-accession period (1995- 2006). The unsolved institutional and legislative problems of these structures are shown in details. The purpose of the paper is to analyze and assess the status of the cooperative structures active in the agriculture and to offer concrete suggestions for their further adaptation to the EU legislation implemented in this area.agricultural cooperatives, EU accession, CAP implementation, Agribusiness,

Agriculture in the Face of Changing Markets, Institutions and Policies: Challenges and Strategies

Since the late 1980s, agriculture in Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) has been under considerable adjustment pressure due to changing political, economic and institutional environments. These changes have been linked to the transition process, as well as the ongoing integration into the European Union and the world market. Reduced subsidies, increased environmental and food quality demands, as well as structural changes in the supply, processing and food retailing sector call for major structural adjustments and the improvement of farmersâ managerial abilities. Though such changes always carry significant threats to farms, they also offer new opportunities for the farms' entrepreneurial engagement. Upcoming changes in the agricultural environment and their possible consequences for farm structures across Europe are thus still timely subjects. The objective of the IAMO Forum 2006 is to contribute to the success of agriculture in the CEECs, as well as their neighboring countries, in todayâs increasingly competitive environment. Concrete questions the conference focuses on are: What are the most suitable farm organizations, cooperative arrangements and contractual forms? How to improve efficiency and productivity? Where do market niches lie and what are the new product demands? This book contains 33 invited and selected contributions. These papers will be presented at the IAMO Forum 2006 in order to offer a platform for scientists, practitioners and policy-makers to discuss challenges and potential strategies at the farm, value chain, rural society and policy levels in order to cope with the upcoming challenges. IAMO Forum 2006, as well as this book, would not have been possible without the engagement of many people and institutions. We thank the authors of the submitted abstracts and papers, as well as the referees, for their evaluation of the abstracts from which the papers were selected. In particular, we would like to express our thanks to OLIVER JUNGKLAUS, GABRIELE MEWES, KLAUS REINSBERG and ANGELA SCHOLZ, who significantly contributed to the organization of the Forum. Furthermore, our thanks goes to SILKE SCHARF for her work on the layout and editing support of this book, and to JIM CURTISS, JAMIE BULLOCH, and DÃNALL Ã MEARÃIN for their English proof-reading. As experience from previous years documents, the course of the IAMO Forum continues to profit from the support and engagement of the IAMO administration, which we gratefully acknowledge. Last but not least, we are very grateful to the Robert Bosch Foundation, the Federal Ministry of Nutrition, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV), the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Haniel Foundation and the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Central and Eastern Europe (IAMO) for their respective financial support.Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Farm Management, Industrial Organization, International Development, Labor and Human Capital, Land Economics/Use, Productivity Analysis,

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ORGANISING CLUSTERS IN THE BULGARIAN GRAPE-WINE SECTOR

Bulgaria's membership in the European Union defines the development of clusters as a key element of the National Strategy for increasing the competitiveness. The role of the clusters becomes especially important at this time because SME do not have the capacity to meet EU requirements and to survive without uniting themselves. Moreover the National Strategy for Vine-wine Sector in Bulgaria stipulates the transformation of the sector in a leading one and securing a decent place of Bulgarian wines on international market which may be succeed through cluster introduction in the sector. In the paper is presented an overview of the initiatives for cluster development in the Bulgarian grape-wine sector and are disclosed the structure and role of cluster participants

THE SOCIAL ORIENTATION OF THE ACTIVITY OF THE LABOUR WORKING COOPERATIVES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE IN BULGARIA

Bulgaria's membership in the European Union defines the orientation of our country in line with the key strategic priorities of Europe 2020, which aims to achieve smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The role of the cooperative system becomes especially important at this time when the EU itself is constructed as a union of equal socially oriented states. In the paper is depicted the role of the labour working producer cooperatives for disabled people as one of the main actors of the social economy in the EU which contribute to solving many economic and social problems of a substantial part of the Bulgarian population and to implement the priorities of the strategy "Europe 2020". In line with this aim, are given suggestion for the trends in improving their activity. So that they could provide better labour rehabilitation, strengthen the social integration of their members, promotion of production, improvement of working conditions, proposals for changes in legislation

The land-lease in Bulgaria – opportunities for better use of agricultural land

Purpose of this paper is to analyze and evaluate the tenancy model of agriculture in Bulgaria and offer guidance and solutions for its development which allow and contribute to its adaptation to EU agricultural conditions. The report examines the status and problems of renting of agricultural land in Bulgaria. The analysis results are based on a survey of the status of the land market and the author’s own study

CONSUMERS ATTITUDES TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION IN BULGARIA

Globally, business organization units and government bodies are becoming much more aware of the need for environmental management, socially responsible behaviour, sustainable growth and development. In Bulgarian economy mentioned processes have been initiated within the several key sectors that are basically among the biggest polluters. To evaluate the issues concerning environmental standards the direction of the analysis is based on consumers’ point of view. The main aim of the article is to analyse and evaluate attitudes of Bulgarian consumers toward environmental standards implementation in Bulgaria. The study is divided into 3 parts: 1) literature review concerning the need of implementation of environmental standards; 2) description of the used methodology and research toward implementation of ISO 14001 in Bulgaria by the opinion of the consumers; and 3) Analysis of the gathered information. On this basis, conclusions about the prospects for their development in the Bulgaria are drawn. The collected information and results are based on scientific project concerning the implementation of Standards for Social and Environmental Responsibility in Bulgaria (NI 1-4/2014)

Development of Agrarian Structures in Bulgaria: From Productive Cooperatives to Sole Traders and Partnerships

The aim of the paper is to analyze the reasons for the still continuing organizational restructuring and for the transition of Bulgarian agriculture from collective cooperative forms to prevailing sole proprietors and small size collective partnerships based on stake principle. The conclusions and assessments in the paper are based on the data from 2003 Census of agricultural holdings and on results from two research regional projects: "The Land-leasing model of agriculture in Dobrich region" and "Integrated development of rural regions in Haskovo area"