A new project supports digitalization in agriculture in the Stara Zagora region - AgriExcel

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Support for the agri-food sector through the introduction of more innovations and digital technologies is the focus of a new project implemented by Stara Zagora Regional Economic Development AgencyThe AgriExcel project is co-funded under the Interreg Europe programme.

One of the main objectives of the project is also to bridge the gap between farmers, the scientific community, and developers of technological and digital products, making the implementation of innovations more accessible to everyone. The project will contribute to better identifying the challenges related to introducing innovations in agriculture in Bulgaria and to finding ways to overcome them. SZ REDA – Stara Zagora is part of a consortium of seven countries – Finland, Austria, Bulgaria, Italy, Latvia, Spain, and North Macedonia – which has launched an intensive exchange of experience aimed at ensuring that good practices from each region reach all others and can be applied.

Cooperatives and next-generation technologies

From 23 to 25 September 2025, SZ REDA – Stara Zagora represented the region at the First International Meeting in Valmiera, Latvia. During the meeting, international partners learned about the significant role of the agri-food industry in Stara Zagora and its great potential for further development. The SZ REDA – Stara Zagora team participated in visits to local agricultural and innovative companies that shared their experience, including practices applicable in Bulgaria. One of the most impressive examples with potential for replication in Bulgaria is a successful agricultural cooperative that provides high added value to its members while representing a profitable and continuously growing business model. The cooperative members benefit from tangible added value such as better purchase prices for their produce, year-round support from agronomy specialists, shared use of machinery, and other technological solutions that make their work easier and reduce costs. Future-oriented technologies such as smart robots and field machines, as well as drone monitoring of large agricultural areas, were also demonstrated.

Farmers and IT specialists work together

The knowledge and experience gained, along with the objectives of the project, were presented to the business community in Stara Zagora during the First AgriExcel Stakeholder Meeting held on 30 September in Stara Zagora. The event brought together representatives from various types of companies in the sector — farmers, land tenants, agricultural product traders, IT specialists, as well as food producers and processors. It marked the first step toward shortening the path from innovation creation to its implementation in the field and on the farm. Among the main topics discussed were access to information on existing innovations, access to suitable funding opportunities, and access to human resources. Participants in the meeting agreed on two key challenges: The lack of accessible information about relevant innovations for the agri-food sector, including information about funding instruments for innovation; and The need for qualified human resources. They put forward a valuable proposal to develop programs for earlier development of work habits among young people, including through internship initiatives, organized seasonal work, and similar activities. Allowing legal employment at an earlier age than 16 was also mentioned as a possible way to improve the economic environment.

The next steps of the project include expanding the circle of stakeholders at the regional level and creating a network of contacts among businesses, institutions, the scientific sector, and IT specialists. The goal is to facilitate better information exchange and faster implementation of innovations within the sector. All companies interested in the topic are invited to join the project as stakeholders by contacting SZ REDA – Stara Zagora.

Contact:

Maria Andreeva, mailto:pr@szeda.euCommunication Manager

Learn more about the project at SZ REDA website and official AgriExcel website: https://www.interregeurope.eu/agriexcel.