Adaptation of the Production System in Fruit-Growing Farm

Abstract

Fruit growing is an important branch of agriculture in Bulgaria, but its development in recent decades has been marked by negative trends. The area of fruit growing and consequently the quantity of fruits grown has been permanently decreasing. The proportion of fruit in the gross output of plant growing has shrunk and it was 6.5% in 2011. Adverse changes in important macroeconomic indicators have shown that fruit growers’ farms operate in a hostile environment. The aim of the article is to justify the importance and impact of strategic decisions to increase the adaptability of the production system in the fruit-growing farm case study of cherry production. Cherry is among the most popular fruits for growing among producers. Data from a research project that examines complex introduced cherry varieties was used. The article discusses the theoretical aspects of the adaptability category. The study used the following method: expert evaluation method, econometric methods and SWOT analysis. The pattern of adaptation of fruit growing farm was presented. An approach to improve the adaptability of the production system in fruit growers’ farms was submitted. This approach mitigates the effects of adverse effects, andat the same time it does not bring additional financial burdens to farmers. A theoretical model of fruit growing farm in four versions with early, medium early, late varieties and mixed option was developed. The higher adaptability of the production model in which risk is diversified among the three groups of varieties was demonstrated. Implementation of the models with highly adaptive capacity at farm level and their promotion at a local, regional and national level is the right way for them to rapidly reach the widest possible range of farmers. This approach will have a positive impact on farm level, region level and the macro level.