Scholarly record

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT - CHALLENGES TO BULGARIAN FARMERS

Teodorina Turlakova

Abstract

The agriculture is a sector where the impact of climate change leads to high risk and vulnerability in farmers' activities. The negative consequences are reflected in the direction of changes in agricultural land, decrease in productivity, soil erosion, salinization, deterioration of the conditions for raising animals and others. Tackling such problems is a challenge for farmers trying to balance the need to produce enough food for the population and, on the other, to mitigate the negative effects of climate change. The purpose of the report is to provide assessments from a study of the impact of climate change on the activities of Bulgarian farmers, as well as to identify practical solutions. The survey covers farmers from the North-Eastern region of Bulgaria and the method used is an in-depth interview. The concept of the study includes the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on farmers' activities. Among the most preferred strategies for adapting to climate change, farmers point to: the use of alternative crops, sustainable varieties (hybrids), the use of natural fertilizers, and a return to old ways of cultivation and irrigation. There are differences in farmers' views regarding insurance as a risk transfer approach, depending on the size of the farm being managed.

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