The international scientific conference “Innovations in Agricultural Science for Efficient Farming” was held on 27-28 September 2012 in the Institute of Agriculture, Shumen (National partner of IBIR-BAS in ReProForce project). Invited by the organizing committee, three scientists from IBIR-BAS (Assoc. Prof. E. Kistanova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. R. Stefanov and Assistant Z. Shekerov) attended the conference. The conference was organized into three scientific sessions: 1) reflecting the problems of the Common Agricultural Policy 2014-2020, 2) animal breeding and 3) agriculture. The scientific expert of ReProForce project Assoc. Prof. E. Kistanova congratulated the participants of the event and thanked the director and the colleagues from the Institute of Agriculture, Shumen for collaboration and active support to IBIR-BAS during the implementation of the ReProForce activities.

The researchers from IBIR-BAS in a collaborative work with the Institute of Agriculture, Shumen presented scientific results in a report entitled “The effect of a Spirulina platensis supplement on some blood parameters, productivity and meat quality in fatten pigs” and in a poster entitled “Study on LDH-X and sperm motility in Ovis aries species”. Both scientific works have received positive reviews and will be published in the Bulgarian Journal of Animal Sciences.

A regional buffalo exhibition was organized during the conference by Agency for Selection and Reproduction in Stock-Breeding and Buffalo Association in Bulgaria. The best animals of the breed Bulgarian Mura as well as traditional products from the industry - buffalo yoghurt and buffalo cheese were presented at the exhibition. The farmers breeding the most productive animals were awarded by the Agency for Selection and Reproduction in Stock-Breeding with special certificates.

Тhe project ReProForce was presented at the conference by poster showing major stages from its implementation. Participants from national agricultural institutes showed interest in the equipment purchased through the ReProForce project and discussed the possibilities for joint research projects (Assoc.Prof. Lyudmila Nikolova, Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Plovdiv; Assoc.Prof. M.Ignatova IZHN-Kostinbrod).

The participation in the conference was essential for showing of current scientific projects and results of IBIR; for strengthening the collaboration with the institute in Shumen; and for expanding national network of IBIR with other scientific institutions from the Agricultural Academy.