Tasteless genetically modified fruit and vegetables with equal size and shape, full of chemical substances and with low content of vitamins, can now be found on the Bulgarian market, too. The elderly women in Bulgaria often tell stories about the delicious and aromatic fruit and vegetables of the past. However, the Bulgarian consumers can still find high-quality produce on the local fruit and veg market, unlike in other European countries, where people buy tomatoes that taste like plastic. Many Bulgarians are still looking for high-quality vegetables and fruit, as well as for organic produce, which is good news.

Kristian and his wife Valentina are penchant for organic farming. The two Bulgarians made successful careers of models abroad. They met in Hong Kong during a working trip. Later they chose to pursue their dreams in New York where they opened several boxing gyms. They also lived for some time in France, Germany and Spain, but currently they reside in a much smaller and peaceful place in Bulgaria- the village of Akandzhievo, which is situated in Sredna Gora Mountains in South Bulgaria. The young couple bought some farmland in that village and started to plant different fruit and vegetables. Thus, they established their Pura Vida Organic Farm. Currently, Valentina and her family grow organic tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, onions, rocket, cherries, apples, pears, pomegranates, as well as some unusual sorts of vegetables brought from the USA.

However, Bulgarians often wonder what organic product means and how farmers manage to protect their vegetables and fruit from pests?

“Organic farming means that farmers must refrain from treating the soil and the plants with any chemical substances. The neighboring plots must be also free from pesticides and insecticides. We knew nothing about organic farming. That is why we had to read tons of books about organic farming. We treat our crops with a solution of boiled nettle and wood ash in order to prevent them from various pests. It may sound incredible, but so far everything goes perfect. We also use the method of allelopathy where plants help each other against pests. In the beginning I was mostly concerned with the pests and the insects, but later I realized that our biggest problem was linked with the variable weather and the temperatures in our greenhouses.  We learn some things the hard way”, Kristian said.

The organic farm brought new life to the village of Akandzhievo. It employs some of the local people and the number of people visiting the farm has been constantly increasing. So far the young Bulgarian family invested own money only, but Kristian and Valentina indent to apply for state financing and for money allotted under EU funds. Kristian told Radio Bulgaria how he spends one day in his organic farm and gave some advices to the people who decide to grow their own organic produce:

“Work at the organic farm starts early in the morning- around 4.30 am in the summer season. I do not recommend people to stay inside the greenhouses after 9 am. I am very grateful to all women working in our organic farm. I go there around 9 am and try to do the heavy job first. I usually go home between 10 and 11 pm. I can only encourage those who want to deal with organic farming to have a strong self-confidence and avoid listening to negative comments about that business. Bulgaria has huge potential to grow organic produce. The country’s land is very fertile and we must take advantage of it. Moreover, organic farming attracts many tourists.”

Kristian believes that work can be easier if there is good understanding between people. His organic farm has attracted a lot of fans in several months only. Every day they publish photos of organic meals in the social networks. Kristian has the ambition to turn his farm into a recreation center where athletes and people with health problems would be able to rest in the nature, enjoy the clean air and eat healthy food. Kristian and Valientina are planning to make more overseas trips and split their time between the cosmopolitan cities of New York and Miami and the peaceful Bulgarian village of Akandzhievo.