"Save nature to save the future" is a project co-financed by the European Union through the Cross-border Cooperation Program INTERREG - IPA Bulgaria - Turkey 2014 - 2020, in which partners are the Chamber of Agriculture - Meric and KRIB Haskovo.
The project aims to protect the soils in the cross-border regions of Bulgaria and Turkey. For this reason, on the Bulgarian side, the project will create an electronic mobile laboratory for soil analysis, which provides accurate and timely results for fifteen soil factors, including the presence of macronutrients and critical micronutrients. It will provide an opportunity to determine the nutrient needs of soils in Haskovo district, to help proper fertilization and achieve optimal yields. Through the equipped laboratory it will be possible to perform a complete agrochemical analysis of soils, which includes: determination of soil acidity; specific electrical conductivity; mineral nitrogen; assimilate potassium; phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, organic matter / humus / and trace elements.
Soil, as a component of the environment, is an indispensable, limited and practically non-renewable natural resource that requires protection from harmful effects, destruction and its sustainable use. The most common forms of soil damage are chemical pollution with heavy metals, various forms of degradation processes such as erosion, acidification and salinization. In this regard, a study of the state of soil resources and soils in the cross-border region of Bulgaria - Turkey - Haskovo region will be conducted. This study will be useful for farmers in the region. Once they are acquainted with the basics of ecology and sustainable development, the ecological situation in the region will be clarified. They will use mobile laboratories to determine the needs of the soils in their lands. In this regard, training will be held for 25 representatives of the authorities, farmers, businesses, civil society on environmental protection. It will take place over 4 days and the lectures will be presented by qualified lecturers. The training will include topics such as: "Atmosphere - air quality, sources of air pollution and the consequences of pollution, pollution control"; "Water - water use and needs, water pollution problems, environmental prospects, water treatment and hazardous waste treatment"; "Solid waste management and soil pollution - waste management and treatment, soil characteristics and protective measures against soil pollution". One of the key issues will be addressed during the training - waste treatment. Considerable attention will also be paid to sustainable agriculture, as the aim is to meet the current needs of society for food and textiles without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable agriculture practitioners seek to integrate three main goals into their work: a healthy environment, economic profitability, and social and economic justice. There are many practices used by people working in sustainable agriculture and the food industry. Growers can use methods to promote soil health, minimize water use and lower levels of pollution on the farm. The training will also aim to conduct practical training for the operation of equipment for measuring soil quality from a mobile electronic laboratory.
Under a project in Meric, Edirne, a Center for recycling plastic boxes, which are a major polluter in the region, will be built. In the cross-border regions of Bulgaria and Turkey - in Meric, Edirne, a study of the state of soil resources and soils will be conducted, as well as training for 25 farmers.