Young Bulgarian farmer uses Common Aagriculture Policy (CAP) support to help digitalise his beekeeping business and also develop orchards producing nutritious local food supplies.

Cvetan Cvetanov became a farmer in 2022 at the age of 35 when he launched his agrifood business plan to combine fruit orchards with beekeeping as part of an overall pluri-activity strategy in a Less Favoured Area (LFA). The farm covers six different plots: one registered apiary with 18 bee colonies, and five plots planned for apple (0.4 Ha) and pear (0.4 Ha) cultivation.

CAP funding for business development and farm viability was provided to help invest in modernising the production system in ways that complied fully with EU standards for food, the environment, animal welfare, agri-hygiene, and safety. A key investment included a BEE DIGITAL electronic monitoring system for bee colonies to enhance honey yield control and enable timely responses to issues.

The good practice project exemplifies a young farmer’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and responsible agriculture by blending local knowledge with cutting-edge technology to promote healthy and sustainable vitality on a farming scale.