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Efficiency and factors for agricultural use of sludge in the circular Bulgarian economy

Author

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  • Bachev, Hrabrin
  • Ivanov, Bozhidar

Abstract

The issue of utilization of sludge from wastewater treatment in agriculture is an important socio-economic and environmental problem in the European Union and Bulgaria. Its significance is determined by the fact that the amount of sludge formed is constantly growing, as the annual amount of sludge produced in Europe is 8.7 million dry matter, and in Bulgaria reaches 53 thousand tons of dry matter. One of the main ways to utilize sludge from wastewater treatment is its use as fertilizer in agriculture. It is becoming a topical issue along with the growing interest into the effective “transformation of wastes into products” and their inclusion in supply chains and circular economy. In other countries, there are numerous studies on the effects, factors and efficiencies of sludge use in agriculture. Despite their relevance, in-depth studies of the diverse effects and critical factors of sludge utilization in Bulgarian agriculture are at an early stage. This paper presents the results of the first part of a large-scale study aimed at determining the socio-economic effects of sludge utilization in Bulgarian agriculture. First, an approach is presented to assess the multilateral effects, efficiencies and factors of sludge utilization in agriculture. Then the various factors stimulating and limiting the utilization of sludge in Bulgarian farms are identified. The results of a case study of a holding using sludge as fertilizer are then presented. Based on a qualitative analysis of regulations and institutional structure, and surveys with managers and experts of urban wastewater treatment plants, and farmers using and not-using sludge, the institutional, political, organizational, personal, educational, informational, social, economic, and environmental factors influencing the utilization of sludge in agriculture in two regions of the country (Sofia and Burgas) are identified. Impact factors are generally divided into two types: factors influencing the behavior of agents, and factors determining the type and extent of the effects of sludge use in agriculture. Research of this type is to continue and deepen to establish the economic, sectoral and regional specificities on the basis of more representative information from all participants and interested parties in the effective utilization of sludge in the country.

Suggested Citation

  • Bachev, Hrabrin & Ivanov, Bozhidar, 2021. "Efficiency and factors for agricultural use of sludge in the circular Bulgarian economy," MPRA Paper 109783, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:109783
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ksymena Rosiek, 2020. "Directions and Challenges in the Management of Municipal Sewage Sludge in Poland in the Context of the Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-28, May.
    2. Bachev, H., 2017. "Socio-economic and environmental sustainability of Bulgarian farms," Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, vol. 3(2), June.
    3. Hrabrin Ianouchev BACHEV, 2016. "An Approach to Assess Sustainability of Agricultural Farms," Turkish Economic Review, KSP Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 28-53, March.
    4. Hrabrin Bachev, 2013. "Risk Management in the Agri-food Sector," Contemporary Economics, University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw., vol. 7(1), March.
    5. Hrabrin Bachev, 2009. "Mechanisms Of Governance Of Sustainble Development," Journal of Applied Economic Sciences, Spiru Haret University, Faculty of Financial Management and Accounting Craiova, vol. 4(2(8)_ Sum).
    6. Hrabrin Bachev, 2014. "Environmental management in agriculture," Economic Thought journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 1, pages 29-55,56-79.
    7. Hrabrin Ianouchev BACHEV, 2018. "Impact of governing modeson agrarian sustainability in Bulgaria," Journal of Economic and Social Thought, KSP Journals, vol. 5(1), pages 72-110, March.
    8. Bachev, Hrabrin, 2014. "Environmental management in agriculture - mechanisms, forms and efficiency," MPRA Paper 99852, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Bachev, Hrabrin, 2020. "About the governance pillar of agrarian sustainability," Economic Consultant, Roman I. Ostapenko, vol. 32(4), pages 16-27.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Grobelak & Klaudia Całus-Makowska & Anna Jasińska & Marek Klimasz & Aleksandra Wypart-Pawul & Dominika Augustajtys & Estera Baor & Daria Sławczyk & Aneta Kowalska, 2024. "Environmental Impacts and Contaminants Management in Sewage Sludge-to-Energy and Fertilizer Technologies: Current Trends and Future Directions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-28, October.
    2. Dinko Đurđević & Saša Žiković & Tomislav Čop, 2022. "Socio-Economic, Technical and Environmental Indicators for Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and LEAP Analysis of Emissions Reduction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-15, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    sludge; use; agriculture; factors; efficiency; Bulgaria;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q1 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture
    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q13 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness
    • Q14 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Finance
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment
    • Q16 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q2 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation
    • Q20 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - General

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