In this respect in 2008 the efforts of the CCU management and "Agriculture and Forests" Directorate were focused on seeking new opportunities to increase the average yield from the grain cultures produced within the cooperative system. One of these opportunities is the closer relation between the production and the achievements and development in the agricultural science. The crossing point where the two meet and unite the interests of the producers and researchers is exactly the point where innovations head towards the practice.

          The objective of the cooperatives involved in agricultural activities is to grow high-yield crops and to produce high quality products through the utmost and appropriate use of the fertility of the soil. To achieve this one has to seek the optimum option to utilise the overall scientific potential in the field of farming and its commitment to the issues in the sector.

          Based on this principle position back in 2007 the CCU laid the foundations of a cooperation with leading agrarian institutes. The objective was to find the optimum solutions, which will turn cooperative agriculture into a competitive market player.

          This cooperation continued this year as well. In May an open meeting was held for the cooperatives in the Northeast Bulgaria with leading specialists from the Agriculture Institute in Karnobat. At this meeting the Chairmen of cooperatives and Cooperative Unions which are involved in agriculture were informed with the specifics of the farming equipment and the new brands of barley; the possibilities for seed production; the conditions which the agricultural cooperatives have to meet to be able to have such production; the economic assessment and the potential profitability of seed production, etc. It was pointed out that the organisation of own seed production by the cooperatives will facilitate the production and use of high quality seeds within the cooperative system and accordingly will increase the yields from them.

          Another area, which will support the attainment of better positions at the market for the agricultural cooperatives is bio farming. Bio farming is a specific practice which contributes directly to the development of the rural areas in Bulgaria and the country as a whole. Bio agriculture results in stabilisation of the income of the farmers through the entry at new and emerging markets, offering high quality and healthy foods. This is also confirmed by the conclusions of the European Commission. Cooperatives within the CCU system are in a favourable position to take a reputable spot in the still untaken market niche for bio products in the European Union.

          To this end continuous contacts are maintained with organisations supporting bio farming in Bulgaria. A representative of "Certification of Ecologic Standards" OOD was invited to a meeting of the Agriculture and Forests Commission at the CCU Management Board. He acquainted the Commission members with the main principles of bio agriculture and the steps, which a farmer should undertake to be certified for such farming.

          The other good news for the cooperative agriculture is the launching of the Rural Regions Development Programme (2007 – 2013). From the measures which are open for project proposals the most important one is measure 121 „Modernisation of Agricultural Holdings”. The cooperatives within the CCU system have submitted to the State Fund "Agriculture" – Payment Agency their first projects under this measure, related mainly to the purchase of specialised farming equipment. Such projects were submitted by "Trud" CC, Boyanovo Village, "Zemedelets" CC, Mokren Village, "Aivat" AC, Zvenimir Village, etc. Investing in the purchase of modern equipment will result in better cultivation of the land, reduction in the costs and production of higher quality products with higher yields and thus it will be more environmentally friendly.

          In June 2008 a non-profit organisation "AND-Europe" Bulgaria was established in Sofia. In addition to the CCU the founding members include Bulgarian scientists in the field of agriculture, representatives of the business, insurance and banking, mayors of rural municipalities in Northeast Bulgaria. The French Association „ADN-Europe” was established under the auspices of the former French Prime Minister – Jean Pierre Raffarin. The main goals of the Bulgarian association are the dissemination of the French achievements in the field of agriculture, processing and drinking industry through the implementation of the European Union standards in Bulgaria, as well as new French technologies, training of Bulgarian farmers, implementation of biotechnology in agriculture.  

          Another area were the association will support the cooperative organisations within the CCU system is the food and processing industry. The organisations will facilitate the dissemination of the French achievements in this field and will work towards the introduction of the European standards in the processing companies. And in order to close the "production – processing – trade" circle and to increase the added value, which remains within the cooperative system, it should be invested in the processing of agricultural produce.

As a whole, it can be said that in 2008 the cooperatives within the Central Cooperative Union system have confidently taken on the path of modernisation and improvement of the efficiency of their farming activities in close cooperation with the agricultural science. All they have to do is reach the end successfully.