Agroforestry in Bulgaria: history, presence status and prospects

Abstract

Agroforestry is a multifunctional, environmentally-friendly and modern system of land use by which we can reach economic, environmental and social benefits for the society. Bulgaria has achieved good results in the establishment of agroforestry practices, such as: protective forest belts, forest farming (agricultural use of forest areas), silvopasture (forest-grassland complexes). Moreover there are also legal basis and political understanding for promoting these types of systems. Missing, however, entire Concept and Strategy of supporting the development of agroforestry in the country. There is a strong need for the introduction and elaboration of best practices and new agroforestry technologies in the country where agricultural areas cover 47 % and forest areas 37 % from the territory. As a modern form of land use, agroforestry is a viable alternative for providing good income for land owners in many areas of the country, particularly these which livelihood are formed by a tobacco-production. Agroforestry can pushed up agricultural returns by diversification of production and can give many ecological and social benefits for society. The perspectives are targeted at the production of forest fruit tree species with high value tree timber, and forest farming.