Adaptation of Bulgarian Agricultural Holdings in the Context of the Green Deal

This study analyses the economic and agroecological efficiency of sustainable agricultural practices within the context of industrial grain production in Bulgaria, in alignment with the objectives of the European Green Deal. Using a case study approach over two cropping seasons (2022–2024), the impact of implementing three innovative practices were assessed: (1) stabilized urea with urease and nitrification inhibitors (NBPT and DCD), (2) cover crops (vetch, clover, radish), and (3) minimum tillage (no-till). The research was conducted under real production conditions on a farm with a strategic crop rotation – wheat, maize, and sunflower – applied across 270 hectares of experimental land annually. The methodology incorporates economic indicators (profitability, ROI, NR), agronomic parameters (yield, protein, starch, oil content), and environmental metrics (organic matter, microbial activity, NUE) using quantitative analysis, statistical processing, and data triangulation. The results show that the application of inhibited urea leads to the highest nitrogen fertilization efficiency (up to 64.4 kg/kg N) and profitability (up to 217.1%), while cover crops and no-till improve soil fertility and reduce costs. The studied practices demonstrate a high degree of adaptability and economic viability in the Bulgarian context, offering strong potential for transitioning our agricultural systems toward a sustainable model with reduced emissions, optimized resource use, and enhanced soil function.