"Without water, there is no agriculture": 350 million leva for irrigation are missing from the budget for 2026.

The issue of funding for Bulgarian agriculture in 2026 is once again in the spotlight of the sector, after farming organizations expressed concerns about the lack of clarity regarding irrigation funds. Svetlana Ormanova, founder of the Institute for Agro-Strategies and Innovations, advisor to the Branch Chamber "Fruits and Vegetables" and former Deputy Minister of Agriculture, outlined the key risks for producers and commented on the draft budget for the next year. The agricultural sector is facing serious tension due to the lack of funds for irrigation in the 2026 budget, said Svetlana Ormanova on EuroNews. She emphasized that despite the approximately 230 million euros planned for state aid, the budget draft "does not show funds to be allocated for irrigation systems." In her words, the expected "350 million leva should have been committed," and their absence means continuing "an agony every time with irrigation." Ormanova warned that the water supply problem is systemic and ...