Answered by: Експерт по земеделие

In short: Mostoften, flexible sowing according to moisture, conservation treatments and rootless farming, precise disease forecasting and cooperation are applied.
Southern Dobrudzha is thedriest region of Bulgaria and production is mostly irrigable.
Therefore, good practices are aimed at preserving moisture and moreprudent use of fertilizers and detergents.
Flexible sowing norm.
ET "Agro-Svetlozar Dichevski" (Varna) has switched from fixed to flexible sowing norms according to soil moisture, with drought-resistant varieties.
The result is a morestable drought yield and less seed costs.
Rootless farming and minimal cultivation.
The technology has developed in Bulgaria since 2000, mainly in Dobrudzha: first in small areas, then with the gradual exclusion of ploughing.
Fewer passes in the field.
Bomar Trade combines operations in one pass, which protects the structure and moisture of the soil.
Disease prognosis.
"Agromate" (Yambol) uses a weather station and a disease model to spray at the right moment.
This reduces the use of pesticides by up to 30%.
Cooperation.
Motor 93 Insurance Company (Babuk) shows how sharing equipment gives access to technology without much investment.
The Help Center can connect you to these farms for hands-on experience.
Material: Good Practices 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8; Training Module 1 and 2; Report "Innovative Approaches in Agriculture".

Combine irrigation with soil conservation — otherwise it only increases pressure on water resources. The investment can be funded under II.D.1.1 (section A).

Material: Good practice 1; Literature review, section 4.2.4.

If you take water from surface water or groundwater, you usually need a permit under the Water Act. For your specific case, contact the Basin Directorate (for Dobrudzha — Black Sea Basin Directorate).

Material: Policy review report (1.4.1), section on water management.

Rank your fields by crop, growth stage, moisture in the root zone and the expected effect of irrigation. The driest field is not always the one where water will bring the greatest benefit.

What matters is whether the crop is in a sensitive period (for maize — tasselling) and whether the stand can still produce a yield. The plan takes into account the weather forecast, the soil and what the system can deliver. Avoid applying the same amount of water everywhere out of habit.

Source: FAO.

Monitor moisture at the depths where the active roots are. A dry surface does not necessarily mean the plants lack water, and a moist surface does not guarantee enough reserves further down.

Soil sensors help if you combine them with rainfall, the forecast and the crop's growth stage. Where you place them matters: a sensor in an untypical spot gives a misleading picture. Irrigation should top up the reserve you need, without wasting water.

Source: FAO.

It can, if the system works to real needs and is set up well. A timer that runs irrigation on the same schedule regardless of rainfall is not enough.

Before automating, check the evenness of irrigation, the pressure, leaks and the amount of water actually applied. Then set up the controls to match the soil, the crop and the moisture data, and keep the option of manual override. Automation makes the work easier, but you still need to check that the schedule is right.

Source: FAO. Material: Good practice 1 (remotely controlled pivot irrigation).

Yes, if the system is designed for it. Check the water quality, the evenness of application, the solubility and compatibility of the fertilisers, and the equipment for safe dosing.

The total amount of nutrients is set according to analyses and crop needs, and then split over suitable periods. Applying through water does not automatically mean lower use, and if set up badly it can lead to uneven nutrition and clogging. Before you start, have it checked by an irrigation specialist and an agronomist.

Material: Good practices 1, 4, 9 and 10; report from the workshop for public officers (Albena, 7.07.2026).

1. Soil analysis and weather data — the cheapest basis for decisions.
2. Service instead of purchase: you can hire a drone or precision treatment from a specialised company.
3. Cooperation: shared machinery with other farmers, as in good practice 7 (agricultural cooperative "Motor 93", Babuk).
4. Investment with a grant — up to 50% under II.D.1.1 (section A).

The most common barriers are high upfront costs and a lack of capacity to work with data, so training is part of the roll-out.

Material: Report "Analysis of good practices", sections 3.3 and 5; Brochure 1, section 15.

Under Activity 1.5, a pilot use of drones is being carried out in the Thrace region of Türkiye (lead partner TDA): monitoring crops, irrigation and pests. The results will be published on the project website; the Help Desk can let you know when they are presented.

Choose a technology based on the loss you want to reduce:

Before buying, be clear about what decision you will make with the information, who will operate the system and whether it is compatible with your machinery. Ask for a demonstration on your own field and include subscriptions, maintenance and training in your calculation.