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Atanas Birnikov is one of the major producers of potatoes and seeds in the region, chairman of the Association of Bulgarian Potato Growers (ABC), founded in Velingrad. On the problems of the industry we are talking days before October 13, when for the second time in Velingrad will be held a Potato Festival with participants and guests from all over the country and abroad. Organizers are ABC, Municipality of Velingrad, Agency for Regional Development and Center for Business and Information - Velingrad, co-organizers are Union Television, OP "Sports Properties and Beaches", OP "Markets and Markets". For the holiday help project "employment through business support" of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the United Nations Development Programme.

- Mr. Birnikov, we are talking on the eve of the second Feast of Potatoes in Velingrad. Are they celebrating potato growers in the region? - No matter how difficult it is, it is not only for potato growers, but in general for agriculture. The problems come mainly from financial unavailability. However, the fact that there are still forces for celebration comes to show that people have the potential for work. Moreover, on one such holiday after the difficult agricultural year, people see each other, exchange experience, and there will be a debate on the problems. Not to have a man's mood, if he wants to work, he has to participate in such a holiday. For the traditional for the region culture - potatoes, such a forum becomes mandatory and we have to praise the organizers. - What's the number one problem for potato growers right now? - Problem number one is timely production lending. In the last 3 years, the Agriculture Fund has allocated, albeit minimally, funds and subsidies for commodity credits for the production of seeds and potatoes for consumption. So far, decisions have always been made in January and February, and in March subsidies are given out. Thus, production is not provided in time to prepare for the business year. The problem is also that we are generally lagging behind in technological terms in growing potatoes. Most of all, this is felt in fertilization - there is a continuous decrease in soil fertility, because manure years ago was in sufficient quantities, but because of the reduced animal husbandry it is now in short supply. And producers do not have the means to supply artificial fertilizers to compensate for the lack of the most important elements for growing potatoes. A problem for the region is small and fragmented potato production. Many old and degenerate varieties of potatoes are used, which can not offer good quality of production on the market. The reason is that small farmers do not have the financial resources to buy new and quality seeds. And in recent years they are supplied and there are seeds with very good and excellent qualities, they have been tested in Bulgaria and people who have money can buy. The problem can only be solved by subsidising and lending seed production in suitable regions. Now the stock credits are set limit - more than 100 acres for seed production I can not take, for potato production the limit is 150 acres. These organics are unnecessary, one should not limit the one that has the opportunity to work more. Small and fragmented production does not allow equipment to be implemented everywhere. Specialists from the municipality and the region are in debt to potato growers, should help smallholders - mainly with advice. - During last year's Feast of Potatoes there was talk of a potato stock exchange in Velingrad, the mayor promised assistance with municipal land. Is there any development on this idea? - The idea had no development mainly for objective reasons. Since the beginning of 2001. A number of guidelines have been issued for the creation of farmers' associations, including the corto-producers. An Association of Bulgarian Potato Growers was established in Velingrad, such associations will be in many places. In the future, according to specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture, aid will not be provided if there is no association. However, these associations will not be TKZS, on the contrary - the goal is to avoid collective irresponsibility. In the association, everyone works alone, is responsible for their production, and the organization helps producers with resources. In the countries of the European Union, a percentage of production is realized through similar associations. In France, for example, contracted production is taxed and non-contracted production is not taxed. Of course, there is plenty of time until our branch associations work on such principles. The road will be through large-scale agriculture and private property. Only this will achieve quality - in the West there are areas that are designated for seed production and it is forbidden to grow potatoes for consumption. The quality offered is very high, and we have the opposite: in our area the quality has deteriorated a lot and this becomes a social problem because people can't sell their potatoes, unemployment is rising, income can't rise. Large potato consumers are not sure of the quality that the mass producer offers. The best thing is to have pre-contracts between producer and consumer that would create complete security. Then what will be redeemed will be produced by observing the good rule "Sell first, then produce". But that time has not yet come. - What is your estimate of the prices at which this year's harvest will be bought? - There is a lot of talk that customs have tightened controls and if potatoes are imported, it will be regulated - with duties and fees, without compromises. Now for producers, potato prices are low, but perhaps for the first time there will be a slight increase. Without imports will not pass, Bulgarian potatoes do not reach the domestic market, but I hope to import regulated and not to harm the Bulgarian producer. We are still a beginner in private farming, we have not reached such a technological level that leads to low cost of our production. Agriculture, and potato production in particular, necessarily needs subsidising in order to produce cheap and quality produce that the mass consumer can buy without weighing on his pocket. This is done only with subsidies. - You, Mr. Birnikov, have been engaged in potato production for many years. If someone came to you today and asked you whether to do the same, what would you advise him - to start or to look for something easier? If this is a young man, I would advise him to devote himself to farming. It may be potato production, it may be another suitable for our region - hops, fruit plantations, herbs. Despite the great difficulties, without agriculture at a high level, the state will not be developed either. Let's look around: there is no European country without high-level agriculture. Everywhere this is a strategic industry. So far, our politicians have not understood this. At the municipal level, they are in debt - they should outline a strategy for local agriculture. The central executive itself must also make a strategy consistent with European requirements. If we are going to enter the European Union, we need to know what markets we are going to have - whether we are going to export, for example, currants and raspberries, whether they are going to ban potato exports, etc. Then it will be difficult to adjust, but it will also be easy, because we will not produce on our own. Elena Baeva