THE ROLE OF BULGARIAN FARMERS IN PROMOTING CLIMATE-RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

Climate change is increasingly affecting Bulgarian agriculture through rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, droughts, and more frequent extreme events. This study explores how Bulgarian farmers perceive these changes and what climate-resilient practices they adopt. Using surveys, focus groups, and interviews with 50 farmers across grain, vegetable, livestock, vineyard, rose, and mixed farms, the research identifies clear sector-specific impacts and responses. Grain producers face high drought risk; vegetable growers struggle with water scarcity and pests; livestock farmers experience declining forage quality; vineyards and rose growers report significant phenological disruptions. Farmers employ a mix of technological and agroecological adaptations, yet financial constraints, insufficient training, and misaligned policy support limit adoption. The findings highlight the need for targeted, locally relevant measures and stronger collaboration among farmers, scientists, advisory services, and policymakers. Building climate resilience in Bulgarian agriculture requires accessible funding, practical knowledge exchange, and long-term institutional commitment.