Ivan Chubrin

Bulgaria, Dolna Banya, Kostenets village

Organic family farm

Organic berries (raspberries, blackberries, strawberries)

“Success comes when we are all united towards one goal and we are doing our best“.

Ivan Chubrin is a graduate of zoo engineering and engaged in farming when he was 18, helping his father breed sheep of the Assaf breed. Today Ivan manages an organic family farm growing raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. He selected several species – from early to late – to distribute the harvesting in time. His production receives an annual support under the CAP measures.

Ivan is convinced that organic farming is the right choice. He is trying to return the organic mass back into the soil for natural nutrition and is planning to plant grass between the rows to increase the plants’ fertility. EU’s Common Agricultural Policy supports young producers implementing sustainable agricultural practices. Through the “Organic Crop Production” intervention the Strategic CAP Plan of Bulgaria supports farmers who implement the methods of organic farming. This support is particularly important for producers like Ivan whose crops require lots of manual labour and additional care.

To deal with climate challenges like draughts, spring frosts and high temperatures Ivan uses trickle irrigation, improves the terrain and is considering the placement of shading nets and greenhouses. He is also planning to apply for investment support for young farmers under the Strategic Plan. The young farmer wants to modernize his farm, close the production cycle by building a small jam and syrup workshop and secure full-time jobs for the people on his team. Furthermore, he is planning to increase the acreage, introduce new crops, including protein organic crops, invest in modern technologies such as drones and new irrigation systems.
Part of the production is already sent for industrial processing but around one-third is sold fresh, including through direct sales and the pick-it-yourself on the field method.

His message:

“If you ask me the future belongs to organic production for two reasons. One is that organic products are healthy. The other is that in this way we preserve the soil capacity for the future generations.”