Coordinator of the scientific team: Prof. Dr. Nina Nikolova
Scientific team: Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”: Prof. Dr. Neli Hristova, Ch. Assistant Professor Simeon Matev, Ph.D. student Jelena Svetozarevich, student Desislava Dimitrova; Economic Research Institute – BAS: BAN: Ch. Assistant Dr. Milkana Mochurova-Georgieva
Funding: FNI - MES, BGN 40,000.
Contract No. KP-06-KOST-2/17.05.2022; duration 2 years
The project is in the frame of COST Action № CA 20138 “NETWORK ON WATER-ENERGY-FOOD NEXUS FOR A LOW-CARBON ECONOMY IN EUROPE AND BEYOND”.
The application of the Nexus approach in agriculture is explored by analyzing the water-food nexus in the context of climate change. The purpose of the research is to increase the adaptive capacity of agriculture to climate change by expanding knowledge regarding the sustainable use of water in the cultivation of crops. The project will provide valuable insights into the water footprint of main cereal production in Bulgaria by analyzing the usage of green water (rainwater) and blue water (irrigation). The findings can help farmers and policymakers make informed decisions that balance the need for agricultural production with sustainable water use.
To achieve the stated goal, the following tasks are performed:
1) analysis of the water footprint when growing cereals in Bulgaria based on the influencing factors (change in rainfall and different ways of growing and managing crops);
2) exchange of knowledge: the creation of a learning environment through technology transfer between researchers from different scientific organizations (Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Economic Research Institute - BAS);
3) development of effective forms of scientific and public-scientific cooperation on a local and regional scale.
The main beneficiaries of the project's research work will be researchers working on topics related to the Nexux approach, climate impacts on agriculture, as well as issues related to water use and water footprints in agricultural processes under current conditions and future climate scenarios. The results of the study can be used in risk management and land use planning.