Short description of the best practice

Multifunctional wood kinds were created as well as reintroduced persistent aborigine kinds for reinstatement of the damaged territories. 574 hectares of agricultural lands are cultivated in a biological manner and 305 hectares are in process of transition to bio-production.
The technologies are new, because they fully replace the traditional methods used in conventional agriculture. Scientific substantiated crop-rotation is applied in lieu of fertilization. The mechanized cultivations are reduced to a minimum. The use of chemical preparations for vegetation protection is completely excluded. Permanent monitoring of the biological diversity of the cultivable and associated lands is performed during the production process.|

Location

In the municipality of Karlovo, Plovdiv region. Karlovo Municipality is located in South Bulgaria and is one of the municipalities of Plovdiv. The municipality has 27 cities with total population of 55,665 inhabitants.|

If the location has well defined boundaries, specify its extension in hectares:

84.0

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

Karlovo municipality is Situated in Karlovo valley. Stara Planina Mountain, which rises to more than 1500-2000 m above the average of the field retains the valley from the cold
northerly winds. Rainfall (653 mm per year) are above average for the bizarre. They provide enough soil
moisture in all seasons.|
Of crops in the Karlovo valley grow cereals, maize, beans, lentils and potatoes, some valuable industrial crops: sunflower, tobacco, sugar beet, oil and many aromatic plants: rose oil, lavender and peppermint.Karlovo valley is characterized by high diversity of plant species.The great diversity of flora and fauna is concentrated in the National park "Central Balkan".|
The climate is continental, compared to other sub-Balkan fields - softer and warmer. The average annual temperature is 11.4 C.
Climate conducive to agricultural development (especially the cultivation of oil rose) wine, fruit, forestry, a recreational, domestic and international tourism.|

Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby

Of crops in the Karlovo valley grow cereals, maize, beans, lentils and potatoes, some valuable industrial crops: sunflower, tobacco, sugar beet, oil and many aromatic plants: rose oil, lavender and peppermint.|
koprinari; Arabadzhiyata / Kolari /; fullers; mutafchii / weavers of products from goat wool /; potters; kaftandzhii / tailors headers mens clothing /; astardzhii / weavers of webs.
Peak of their economic and spiritual flourishing town reached during the Renaissance. Crafts: cultivation of rose oil and rose oil exported to England, France, Сonstantinople, 40 layer
ski shops, wrought copper - Boilermaking, copper utensils 47 species distinguished by artistic flair, tinware for brandy and pavuri; shoemaking / papukchii / masonry, iron-smithery, glass, production of gunpowder; gold - representing the largest fair in Uzundjovo , 24 guilds, water level / tailors /; samardzhii; |

Main problems addressed by the best practice

no information

Outline specific land degradation problems addressed by the best practice

no information

Specify the objectives of the best practice

Testing in real conditions of 8 (with input 6) new technologies in the production of grain-wheat, grain-fodder, bean and technical cultures – wheat, rye, barley, maize, peas, sunflower, triticale and oats. The technologies are new, because they fully replace the traditional methods used in conventional agriculture. Scientific substantiated crop-rotation is applied in lieu of fertilization. The mechanized cultivations are reduced to a minimum. |The use of chemical preparations for vegetation protection is completely excluded. Permanent monitoring of the biological diversity of the cultivable and associated lands is performed during the production process.

Brief description of main activities, by objective

Sustainable management of 84 ha in a biological manner of agricultural areas wasattained within the frameworks of the Project; testing in real conditions of 8 (with input 6)
new technologies in the production of grain-wheat, grain-fodder, bean and technical cultures.|
The balance is: 574 hectares of agricultural lands are cultivated in a biological manner and 305 hectares are in process of transition to bio-production.
The achieved results indicate that the yields of the agricultural grain cultures are at the average about 20 % lower as compared with the conventional ones, but at that the commencement of the experimental biological production of fodder, bean, technical and grain cultures in lands with high natural|value in Bulgaria was successfully laid.
The technologies are new,because they fully replace the traditional methods used in conventional agriculture. Scientific substantiated crop-rotation is applied in lieu of fertilization.|

Short description and technical specifications of the technology

The technologies are new,because they fully replace the traditional methods used in conventional agriculture. Scientific substantiated crop-rotation is applied in lieu of fertilization. The mechanized cultivations are reduced to a minimum. The use of chemical preparations for vegetation protection is completely excluded. Permanent monitoring of the biological diversity of the cultivable and associated lands is performed during the production process.|
Technologies are new. They completely replace the traditional methods used in conventional agriculture. Powered processes are minimized. The use of chemicals for the protection of vegetation is completely excluded.

Name and address of the institution developing the technology

Biological Agriculture Foundation Bioselena|Head Office
4300 Karlovo, Vasil Karaivanov "36
e - mail: headoffice@bioselena.com

Was the technology developed in partnership?

Yes

List the partners:

Agricultural producers, lecturers and students from the Agricultural University in Plovdiv, NGOs (GEF-Rhodopes; WWF; the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds), Municipal Service Agriculture and Forests Karlovo.|

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

• Local initiative
• National initiative – government-led
• National initiative – non-government-led
• Programme/project-based initiative

Specify:

no

Was the participation of local stakeholders, including CSOs, fostered in the development of the technology?

Yes

List local stakeholders involved:

NGOs (GEF-Rhodopes; WWF; the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds), Municipal Service Agriculture and Forests Karlovo.|

For the stakeholders listed above, specify their role in the design, introduction, use and maintenance of the technology, if any.

The above stakeholders were involved in the development, implementation, and consequently the use of technology.

Was the population living in the location and/or nearby involved in the development of the technology?

No

Describe on-site impacts (the major two impacts by category)

The preservation and the development of the capacity of the ecosystems, for the attainment of economically stable, safe and attractive environment. |
The implementation of the Project also contributes to the conservation and improvement of the soil fertility as well as for the limitation of the land degradation and the combat against desertification.
5 globally protected species are established and preserved within the area of the implementation of the Project.
Multifunctional wood kinds were created as well as reintroduced persistent aborigine kinds for reinstatement of the damaged territories. 574 hectares of agricultural lands are cultivated in a biological manner and 305 hectares are in process of transition to bio-production.
no
The achieved results indicate that the yields of the agricultural grain cultures are at theaverage about 20 % lower as compared with the conventional ones, but at that the commencement of the experimental biological production of fodder, bean, technical and grain cultures in lands with high natural |
NGOs (GEF-Rhodopes; WWF; the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds),Municipal Service Agriculture and Forests Karlo.|
value in Bulgaria was successfully laid.
The attained results are already property of agricultural producers, lecturers and students from the Agricultural University in Plovdiv, |

Describe the major two off-site (i.e. not occurring in the location but in the surrounding areas) impacts

Land degradation
Increase of the sustainably managed agricultural lands

Impact on biodiversity and climate change

Explain the reasons:

Proizvodstvot of grain-wheat, grain, feed, grain and industrial crops-wheat, rye, barley, corn, peas, sunflower, triticale, by introducing new biological technology, helping to maintain biodiversity in the region.|
no

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

No

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Yes

Where?

Agricultural University in Plovdiv, NGOs (GEF-Rhodopes; WWF; the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds)|

Were incentives to facilitate the take up of the technology provided?

Were incentives to facilitate the take up of the technology provided?

Yes

Specify which type of incentives:

• Policy or regulatory incentives (for example, related to market requirements and regulations, import/export, foreign investment, research & development support, etc)
• Financial incentives (for example, preferential rates, State aid, subsidies, cash grants, loan guarantees, etc)

Can you identify the three main conditions that led to the success of the presented best practice/technology?

Good motivation and organization between local authorities, farmers, civil society and the scientific community.|
Ability to adapt in other areas of the country.
Favorable conditions - physical-chemical and climatic.

Replicability

In your opinion, the best practice/technology you have proposed can be replicated, although with some level of adaptation, elsewhere?

Yes

At which level?

• Local
• Sub-national

Related to human resources

sufficient

Related to financial aspects

no information

Related to technical aspects

no inormation