A training course entitled “Biotechnology – embryo transfer in farm animals” was organized by the ReProForce programme.

It held place in the Institute of Mountain Stock-breeding and Agriculture (IMSBA) in Troyan town on 25-28 September 2010.

This institute is one of the national partners of IBIR in the ReProForce project.

Participants in the practical training were scientists from Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Agricultural Academy (AAS) who work with animal reproduction, veterinaries, farmers and partners from abroad – Prof. Urban Besenfelder from Austria and Prof. Katja Teerds from Netherlands.

After the opening speech of the director of IMSBA Prof. M. Todorov, the main goals and tasks of ReProForce project were presented to the attendants by the scientific expert E. Kistanova PhD.

Eight lectures representing the theory and the latest achievements in applicable embryo transfer technologies were presented to the attention of the participants. However, the lecture about the historical development of embryo transfer technique in Bulgaria presented by Prof. D. Kacheva and the lectures of the foreign partners Prof. Urban Besenfelder and Prof. Katja Teerds provoked very special interest.

The practical demonstration shown by Mr. Tz. Maslev and Prof. D. Kacheva were very useful for the young attendants and for the colleagues from the practice.

Before giving the certificates for the course attendance, there was a discussion analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of embryo transfer technique and its perspectives for application in the Bulgarian animal husbandry.

The participation of representatives from the Institute of Kostinbrod, Experimental center of agriculture-Sredetz, Trakian University and IMSBA Troyan in the practical course is a good example for strengthening the national network for collaboration within the ReProForce project.

The participants expressed their sincere gratitude for the good organization of the course and underlined its scientific and practical importance.

They willingly took part into the organized social events including the visit to "Тhe Plum Festival", the monastery of Troyan and Lovetch fortress and got acquainted with the history and traditions of the region.