“The New Thracian Gold' Gives Free Advices to Organic Farmers of AGRA 2011

The representative of the project, Ass. Prof. Vladislav Popov, will provide every day (14 - 16 pm) free advices to current and future organic farmers at the stand of "The New Thracian gold", which is shared with close organizations in Pavilion 3 of the Conference center. Besides organic food products from the Eastern Rhodopes as honey, herbs and tahini the stand will expose also organic farming guide, information on the NTG project, on the demonstration farm in the village of Topolova (Madzharovo municipality).

Ass. Prof. Vladislav Popov, coordinator on organic farming in The New Thracian “Gold " is going to deliver a presentation on the project and its achievements on March 10, Day of Organic Farming within the Conference on organic farming.

"The New Thracian Gold" supports organic farmers from the Eastern Rhodopes financially and through training. As part of the project, two organic farmers in Madjarovo have received financial support to adjust crop and animal husbandry to required organic standards and to create conditions for knowledge transfer to other organic farmers through training and demonstration. One of the two now has a model farm in the village of Topolovo with more than 34 ha organic cultivation wich serves for demonstration of best organic practices and as a training center. Open Day of the orgainic farming in the Eastern Rhodopes was organized there in 2010 and the plan is to have such a day the next three years. In addition, more than 160 farmers have participated in information days (five days in five Eastern Rhodopes municipalities) and in seven trainings on organic crop production, bee-keeping, animal husbandry, production of herbs and plant protection.

Three manuals have been produced setting out the basic principles and practices of organic agriculture, organic herbs production and plan protection with natural means in the Eastern Rhodopes. Within the NTG project 34 organic farmers have applied for financial support within the Rural Development Operational Programme.

According to the project team Eastern Rhodopes have a huge potential for the organic farming, which may become an alternative to the declining economic activities such as tobacc growing. The team strongly believes that the development of organic farming, combined with the other two components of “The New Thracian Gold "- ecotourism and biodiversity, will create a new sustainable mean of livelihood and turn the Eastern Rhodopes into an attractive place - both for living and tourism.

See more on: www.newthraciangold.com