Published in Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 1
Written by Nikolaya VELCHEVA, Tsvetelina STOILOVA
Agrifood system includes the totality of the stakeholders, interactions and decisions that contribute to agricultural production. Small farms are highly vulnerable to climate change because most depend on weather conditions, especially rainfall, cultivate small areas in mountainous areas and hard-to-reach areas, and do not have access to technical or financial support. Local and traditional varieties play an important role, as a resource for breeding, sustainable crop diversity in farms or to compliment diets with organic products. Plant diversity grown in small holdings in Bulgaria is characterized by a large number of crops: vegetables, grain legumes, medicinal and aromatic species. The sustainable production of horticultural crops provides a key part of the healthy food. Our aim is to explore developing of conserved collections through new information strategies, supporting free access to plant gene fund. The study provides information on crop diversity in rural areas using the survey method and analysing the passport data from conducted collection missions. Based on results argent activity plan to improve protection of these valuable plant genetic resources for guarantee our food and agriculture will be recommended.
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