Traditional and Modern Ploughs
In the province of Vidin and other rural areas of Bulgaria, the old-fashioned wooden plough is still commonly used. This simple and primitive tool, often pulled by oxen or horses, represents the traditional methods of Bulgarian farming. However, in recent years, modern agricultural machines have begun to replace these older tools.
The introduction of new equipment has made fieldwork faster, easier, and more productive. Farmers are gradually realizing the benefits of using improved implements, which allow them to cultivate larger areas of land with less effort.
Growth in Agricultural Implements
The following table shows the increase in the number of agricultural machines used between 1897 and 1905, showing clear progress toward modernization Customized Private Turkey Tours.
Implements 1897 1905 Change (%)
Ploughs 365,877 391,225 +6.9%
Iron ploughs 32,399 38,923 +20%
Harrows 5,353 38,080 +730%
Drills 46 89 +93%
Reaping machines 731 1,385 +86%
Threshing machines 94 125 +31%
Bolting machines 1,484 3,481 +134%
Winnowing machines 14,233 30,117 +112%
Mowers 1,748 3,318 +87%
Haymakers 81 104 +23%
Watercarts 66 10,782 —
Crushing machines 80 207 +159%
This table demonstrates an impressive growth in the use of farming technology within less than a decade. Tools such as harrows, winnowing machines, and iron ploughs became much more common, helping farmers prepare soil, separate grain, and increase efficiency.
Government Support and Agricultural Progress
The Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture played an important role in this transformation. It actively promoted the use of modern tools and techniques through training, financial aid, and exhibitions.
Its work was supported by the Bulgarian Agricultural Bank, which provided credit to farmers for purchasing new machinery, and by the National Agricultural Society, which encouraged education and modernization in rural communities.
These combined efforts helped farmers improve productivity and gradually shift from traditional methods to more scientific farming practices.
Use of Fertilizers and Soil Improvement
Although machinery was improving, the use of fertilizers remained limited in Bulgaria at the time. Most farmers did not yet understand the importance of enriching the soil with nutrients.
In the Sofia province, sheep dung was sometimes used as a natural fertilizer. In the Stara Planina, Rhodopes, and Sredna Gora mountain regions—where the soil is less fertile and mainly vines, roses, and fruit trees are grown—manure is essential to maintain soil quality.
However, the only type of fertilizer used during that period was stable manure, as chemical fertilizers had not yet become common. This limited the potential of Bulgarian agriculture, although awareness was slowly increasing.
Main Industrial Crops
Apart from cereals and vegetables, Bulgaria also began cultivating several important industrial plants that contributed to trade and local industries. The main industrial crops were:
Tobacco, grown mainly in southern Bulgaria, used for both domestic consumption and export.
Roses, especially in the Rose Valley, used for producing the famous Bulgarian rose oil, one of the country’s most valuable exports.
Beetroot, which supported the development of sugar production in the growing industrial sector.
The period from 1897 to 1905 marked an important stage in the modernization of Bulgarian agriculture. Though many farmers still relied on simple ploughs and manual labour, the rapid growth of agricultural machinery and the support from government institutions represented a clear step forward.
With continued education, better use of fertilizers, and growing interest in industrial crops like roses and tobacco, Bulgaria was steadily transforming its rural economy and preparing for a more productive agricultural future.