Agricultural decollectivization and vulnerability to environmental change: A Bulgarian case study

Abstract

Is the transformation from Communism to a more market-based society making Bulgarians — and particularly farmers — more vulnerable to environmental change? Intensive, open-ended interviews suggest that government policies, new privatization laws and the nation's economic crisis are decreasing farmers' flexibility and removing social safety nets. Yet generalizations are difficult because implementation of the decollectivization process is different at each cooperative farm, thus creating varying levels of vulnerability. Easing the crisis is the tradition of familybased, small-plot gardening, which appears to ensure sufficient food for most Bulgarians.