MAIN CHANGES IN AGRICULTURAL LAND USE IN BULGARIA

Abstract

The present study examines the changes in the use of different types of agricultural land in Bulgaria during the period from 2007 to 2021. The analysis of their dynamics makes it possible to reveal some factors that influence the course of development of Bulgarian agriculture. From the beginning of the considered period until 2014, there is a clear tendency to decrease the area with agricultural purpose in the country. This reduction is mainly due to a reduction in uncultivated land. These lands represent abandoned perennials and unused arable land for more than five years. The decline of these lands is usually related to factors such as urbanization and non-agricultural land use. Unlike uncultivated land, the size of the country's utilized agricultural area hardly changed over the period.
The agricultural area in use covers arable land, perennial crops, nurseries, permanent grass areas and family gardens. There is a significant dynamic in the occupation of the listed types of land during the period, which is more pronounced until 2014. The greatest decrease as an absolute value within the framework of the used agricultural land is in permanently grassed areas. They decreased by almost 480,000 ha from 2007 to 2014. As a relative value, the largest decrease was for vineyards. They are halved over the covered period. Weaker downward changes are reported for family gardens and mixed permanent crops (mainly berry crops). There is an increase in the areas with orchards - by about 20% for the period. The largest increase is recorded for arable land - 430 thousand ha. This increase is mainly due to the reduction of permanently grassed areas and vine plantations. The main part of the arable land is occupied by cereals and technical crops, and the share of these plantations increases during the period. Among cereals, wheat has the largest share, while among technical crops - sunflower. Vegetables have an insignificant share in cultivated land.
It can be summarized that changes in agricultural land use in Bulgaria from 2007 to 2021 show a complex interplay of factors, including urbanization, land use changes and changes in crop preferences. These trends imply the need to continue the analysis and adaptation of Bulgarian agriculture to ensure sustainable development and economic viability.