Boosting vegetable research in Bulgaria
The Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute (Maritsa VCRI), part of the Bulgarian Agricultural Academy, advises the food industry and develops new plant varieties and technologies. Its aim is to become a leading horticultural research centre for the Balkan region. With this goal in mind, the 'Balkan vegetables research centre for transfer of European knowledge, research and practice' (EU-BALKANVEGETABLES) project was set up with EU funding. The main project objective was to improve the Institute's research infrastructure and networking capabilities in order to integrate it into the European Research Area (ERA). Project work has enabled the Institute to recruit scientists in the field, as well as to exchange know-how and experience with leading European organisations. In addition, it has helped to upgrade the Institute's laboratories. Through a course of lectures organised by the EU-BALKANVEGETABLES project, the Institute's researchers learnt about the very latest developments in the area of horticulture. Together with other training courses and exchange visits, the Institute's researchers have sharpened and broadened their research skills and knowledge. Even before the EU-BALKANVEGETABLES project was finished, the Institute was gaining recognition as a centre for spreading European knowledge and practice in the field of vegetable science. This exchange further contributes to raising relevant scientific standards across Europe. Using its enhanced capabilities, the Institute will not only become competitive in European horticultural science, it will also be a leading Balkan research centre for the region and beyond.