Sustainable Development in Education of Horticulture in Bulgaria

Abstract

Sustainable development in education of horticulture imposes involvement of new system in education of agricultural experts, in particular vegetable growers, such as ethical view off point to the reality of production, synthesis of traditional practices (crop rotation and mixed crops, etc.), the love to the land inherited from ancestors and modern scientific achievements from this perspective which will have a positive environmental effect over the agrarian ecosystems and the environment in general. From this perspective, lectures and practices should be based on the principles of integration of different systems and methods of production, which will include sustainable management of fertilizing and irrigation, energy use associated with production and integrated control of pests with sustainable application in the farms. These principles should be presented in a special section entitled “Sustainable Growing of Vegetables” which will form the basic knowledge related to the topic. They should be included in an appropriate place in the relevant sections for each vegetable crop, with the active participation of trained people. In order to overcome the specified problems and ensure sustainable development of the sector, it is necessary to provide well-trained people who know not only the traditional technologies used at present, but also the principles of sustainable agriculture as well, especially related with keeping natural resources to next generations.