Changes in agriculture and their impact on rural areas

Julia Doitchinova, Zornitsa Stoyanova, Albena Miteva

Abstract: In recent decades there have been observed rapid and significant changes in Bulgarian agriculture. The aim of the paper is to assess how changes in agriculture affect rural development and to offer guidelines for its improvement. The methodology uses a mixed approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods. The results of the survey are based on statistical information and results of expert assessment. The surveyed experts highly appreciate the importance of agriculture for rural areas. Some of the reasons for the formed structures and for the tendencies of development during the years of the Bulgarian membership in the European Union are also assessed.

Keywords: product structure of agriculture; rural development; structural changes

Date published: 2023-01-30