“Measure 16: Cooperation” of the 2014 – 2020 Rural Development Programme, directly related to innovations, will enable a recovery of the broken connection between agricultural holdings and science, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

The introduction of innovations in the field of agriculture in Bulgaria is mandatory. The first hybrid tomato was created in Bulgaria around 11 years before the Dutch tomatoes. In the course of time, we have had such occasional outbursts of intellect and skills, which unfortunately have not turned into a big commercial success.

That was said by Levon Hampartzoumian, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of UniCredit Bulbank, at the opening of the conference on Innovations in Bulgarian Agriculture in Plovdiv, organized by the Institute for Agricultural Strategies and Innovations and its President Svetlana Boyanova. The conference is supported by the bank and involved participation of high-ranking officials of GD Agriculture of the European Commission, the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Trakia University in Stara Zagora, among others.

Mr. Hampartzoumian added that “The synchronizing of the processes of production, trade, storage of agricultural production and science which creates innovations together with the agricultural producers in a systematic way is a task which will never end. UniCredit Bulbank is ready to participate, together with you, in the modernization of the agricultural sector in Bulgaria”.

Anton Asparuhov, Head of Rural Development Department with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, said: “The Rural Development Programme is entering its key phase”. According to him now is the right time to talk about innovations because after this year the measures for investments in agriculture and processing will be history and then only the measures for innovations will remain. Mr. Asparuhov underlined that “The Innovations Measure is the best instrument for enhancement of the added value of Bulgarian agriculture. This can happen with Measure 16: Cooperation”.

Innovations are essential to the competitiveness of agricultural holdings and are a direct way to its improvement. He added that “Investment measures help but with them the results come more slowly”.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the problem lies with the broken connection between the agricultural holdings and science. “Universities have scientific developments which never reach agricultural holdings. Agricultural holdings in their turn have problems, which can be addressed. Measure 16: Cooperation is a solution to that.”, Mr. Asparuhov said.

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

Viktoria Blajeva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch