1.1 Geographical characteristics of the Zajecar and Vidin districts

Zaječar is the center of the Zaječar Administrative District. It is located in the central part of Carpathian Serbia, in the center of the Timok region, in the Zaječar basin, at 43˚53 'north latitude and 20˚40' east longitude at 137m absolute height[1]. The city lies in the intersection of the two rivers, at the junction of the Black and White Timok. The Zaječar basin is located between two mountain ports, Carpathian and Balkan, situated between the Crnorecka’s basin in the west and the Negotin’s lowsoil/plain? in the north.  

The Zajecar Administrative District covers an area of ​​3,623 km2. Within the district, agricultural land covers over 123,000 hectares, and unfertilized(infertile perhaps?) land covers over 10,000 hectares. From the agricultural land, arable land and gardens cover about 76,000 hectares, orchards about 5,000 hectares, vineyards are based on about 3,500 hectares, while meadows and pastures cover more than 35,000 hectares. The forests cover about 118,000 hectares.

In Zajecar district, according to the latest census, there are about 120000² inhabitants, of which over 60000 are in the Zaječar area, and almost as many in the other municipalities such as Boljevac (13,000), Knjaževac (31,000) and Sokobanja (16,000).

The Vidin region is located in the far northwest of Bulgaria and occupies a territory of 3 022 km2, which represents 2.7% of the entire state territory of Bulgaria[2]. The region comprises 11 municipalities, with 142 settlements, the largest being Vidin, Boynitsa, Bregovo, Belogradchik, Gramada, Dimovo, Kula, Makresh, Novo selo, Ruzhinci, and Chuprene. The Vidin area is located in the southwestern periphery of the Vlach Plain, with a latitude of 43 ° 49 'north latitude and 22 ° 43' east longitude. The city is developed at the edge of the Danube, in the plains. The altitude of the city is about 40m. The relief of the region is diverse, changing from the Danube River to the Stara Planina Mountain and is rounding up in four natural-formed geographical zones: the Danube-coastal plain - Vidin and Arcar-Orsoja are the most fertile soil, the Danube Plateau; Pre-Balkan and Stara Planina. This relief provides opportunities for the development of agriculture and good infrastructure. Vidin area covers about 301 thousand hectares. Agricultural land, according to the census of 2017/2018, covers an area of 186,722 hectares and constitutes 61.6% of the total area, while under forests 85.970 hectares or 28.5% of the entire territory of the region[3]. Arable land accounts for 92% of agricultural land, vineyards 1.2%, and the rest is under the group of natural and artificial meadows and pastures.

The whole area is characterized by a lower population number, so according to the data as of January 31, 2018, over 84 thousand inhabitants (over 43 thousand women and 41 thousand men) live in this area, of which about 55 thousand in the city and over 29 thousand in the countryside.

Map of the project area

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[1] http://www.zajecar.info
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidin
[3] Republic of Serbia, Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia: Census 2011

1.2 Climatological characteristics of the Zaječar and Vidin areas

The continental climate of Zaječar with certain specificities is conditioned by the continental position of Zaječar and its openness to the Vlach-Pontic Basin. The climate is humid and temperate, with warm summers and moderately cold winters, with variable transitional seasons, from which autumn is warmer. Summer has a more stable character due to the influence of the Azores anticyclone, while the winters are influenced by the cyclones of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, but also by the so-called Siberian anticyclone. Zaječar and its surroundings have a temperate continental climate. The average annual air temperature (1995-2014)[1] is 11.30C, the warmest month is July (22.80C), and the coldest January is (0.00C)⁴. The annual temperature amplitude is 22,8 ⁰C. This, as well as the more gradual change from winter to summer than from summer to winter, shows the continental nature of the climate. The average number of frosty days in the year is 98.8, and in January there are up to 26 frosty days. The number of warm days in the city is about 100. Annual rainfall is 625.7 mm / m2. The months with the highest rainfall are May (65.5 mm / m2) and June (67.5 mm / m2), with the lowest rainfall being in January (35 mm / m2).

The Vidin area is located on the edge of the Vlach Plain in the area of temperate continental climate with somewhat sharper lines due to its openness to the north and northeast. Therefore, the summers are dry and warm and the winters harsh and humid. The average annual air temperature is 11.20C, with July being the warmest month with an average temperature of 23.10C and the coldest month is January with an average temperature of (-1.70C). Rainfall is relatively well distributed seasonally from 550 - 600 mm / m2 in the lower and about 750 mm / m2 in the higher terrains, ie the average annual rainfall is 581.6 mm / m2. The month with the highest rainfall during the year is June (75.4 mm / m2) and the lowest rainfall is in February, when it averages 31.5 mm / m2. During the winter, there are about 50 days with snowfall. Northwest winds are more prevalent during the year, with east and northeast winds more common in winter.

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[1] Republic Hydrometeorological Institute of Serbia, Meteorological station Zajecar

1.3 Soil and basic characteristics of soil types in the area of Zajecar and Vidin districts

Soil is formed by long-term processes of decomposition of the parent geological substrate in different climatic conditions and under the complex action of living organisms (microorganisms, fungus, plants, ...). The process of soil formation or pedogenesis goes through phases of physical decomposition of the parent geological substrate, mineralization (enrichment with mineral materials) and humification (extraction of organic matter).

The soil can be categorised as typical (developed) and atypical (undeveloped). Typical soils are created by long and complex natural processes in different geological, climatic, water and vegetation conditions.

Rendzine are soils of mountainous areas, formed on native rocks and dominated by soft limestones and flysch. They are characterized by water permeability and moderate humus richness.

Rankere are humus - silicate soils developed in mountainous areas where mixed and conifer forests grow and are mainly used as pastures and meadows.

Vertisol is a type of soil and is formed on native substrates with more than 30% clay, developed in climatic conditions that alternate between wet and dry periods. In the wet period, a high content of clay causes swelling and reduced soil drainage, and in the dry season, contractions occur when cracks collapse into the soil from the surface horizon.

Cambisol represents well drained and warm soils. Humus content of this type of soil is in the range of 2 to 5%, also this type of soil is neutral to poorly acidic chemical reactions/? and has a high adsorption capacity. The primary vegetation type on the soil is oak forests, but this type of soil is also suitable for crop, vegetable, fruit and viticulture production.

Red soil (Terra rossa) is a name for red soils especially widespread in the karst area of Eastern Serbia. The red soil is considered to be a type of relict? soil formed in warmer climates than today. The characteristic reddish color is derived from amorphous iron hydroxides.

Podzol is light soil, water-permeable, poor in phosphorus, calcium and nitrogen. This gray soil is of poor fertility due to the intense leaching of minerals and high acidity.

Stagnosol is a soil with unfavorable water, air and thermal characteristics. Water retention in surface horizons is due to the presence of a less permeable horizon or layer in the profile. More intensive use of stagnosol for plant production is possible with the use of complex ameliorative measures.

Atypical (undeveloped) soils are those in the initial stages of formation, after the operation of a certain erosive process. The atypical soils of Serbia include alluvial, eluvial, deluvial, aeolian and anthropogenic soils.

Alluvial soil (Fluviosol) is widespread along streams of large lowsoil rivers. The alternation of large waters (floodwaters) and low-water periods affect the character of alluvial soils. More specifically, these soils are characterized by a heterogeneous mechanical composition - sands, loam and clay, permeable to more permeable, mostly neutral, rarely poorly acidic chemical reactions. Although these soils belong to a group of potentially fertile solils, their intensive use mainly requires the application of ameliorative measures.

Eluvial and deluvial soils are created by the physical decomposition of the rock mass. During physical decomposition, a layer of loose material is formed on the surface of the rock mass. The thickness of this layer is variable and varies from centimeters to about ten meters. Decomposed material-eluvium, remains in place. Later, occasional surface currents, formed after the rainfall, lead to the transport of decomposed material down the slopes in relief.

Aeolian soils are formed by the Aeolian process, that is, they are generated by wind activity.

Anthropogenic soils are created by the long-lasting effects of man, which, by changing various mechanical and chemical processes and means, changes the natural characteristics of the soil. 

The pedological cover in the project area is very diverse and complex due to its complicated biological structure. A large number of land types occur in smaller areas as well.

Zajecar district

The following developed soils are distinguished on the territory of Serbia: rendzine, rankere, chernozem, vertisol, cambisol, red, podzol, stagnosol, wetsoil, saline soil and others.

Alluvium is spread over 2000m wide on both sides of Black Timok and Timok. This "sludge" is very fertile. There is fertile and good soil at the bottom of the basin (Neogene clay, lake pebbles, loam, sandstones, sands and other lake sediments). The sandstone is located above the first river terrace, and above the second is sandstone with gravelly - rocky soil. There are very few podzols, and there are cambisols in the hilly parts of the river terraces. Corn and vegetables are most commonly grown on alluvial soils. Wheat is grown on the higher terraces, and other grains (barley, rye and oats) are grown on the even higher terraces. On terrains from 120 to 600m above sea level, in places sheltered from the wind, fruits, predominantly plum and cherry, are grown, and on terrains from 150 to 300m vineyards are grown.

The native vegetation is mainly composed of deciduous forests, which are mostly widespread in the foothills of Deli Jovan, Tupižnica and Stara planina.

An overview of agricultural land by usage on the territory of both districts is presented in the following tables.

Table 1. Structure of utilized agricultural land according to the latest agricultural census from 2012 for the municipalities of Zajecar district

Municipality	Number of settlemants	Number of agricultural households	Arable land and gardens (ha)	Orchards and vineyards (ha)	Meadows and pastures (ha)	Total agricultural area (ha)
Zaječar	41	6.124	21.225	1.348	7.852	30.425
Boljevac	19	2.990	10.678	1.992	9.089	21.759
Knjaževac	85	5.010	7.328	2.093	8.087	17.508
Sokobanja	25	2.521	9.597	501	5.801	15.899
Total	170	16.645	48.828	5.934	30.829	85.591

 

Vidin district

The distribution of soil types in the Vidin District is determined and correlates with the physical and geographical characteristics of the area. In the Danubian lowlands the soils are predominantly carbonate and typicaly chernozem, while in the upper, southern and eastern parts, as well as in the most western part of the Danube plain (west of Belogradchik), permeable and subzonal soils are developed south of the Chernozem zone. In the northern parts of the pre-Balkan region are developed dark gray soils and in the southern parts gray forest soils. In karst regions humus-carbonate soils (rendzina) are widespread. The river valleys are dominated by alluvial-meadow soils.

Table 2. Structure of utilized agricultural land according to the latest census of 2018 for the municipalities of the Vidin district

Municipality	Arable land, Under MRP** /ha/	Lands actually used - 2018  /ha/					Share of land actually used compared to the arable land
		Total area /ha/	Including:
			Fields	Perennials		Meadows, Pastures and Grasslands
				Vineyards	Other perennials
Belogradchik	16923	6185	2175	49	129	3833	36.55%
Boynitsa	12124	5556	5485	26	5	40	45.83%
Bregovo	13002	9320	9251	1	68	0	71.68%
Vidin	35777	28230	27452	515	190	72	78.90%
Gramada	13110	8789	8700	1	19	69	67.04%
Dimovo	25815	16080	15819	3	42	215	62.29%
Kula	19543	11353	11251	17	23	63	58.09%
Makresh	13209	7400	7172	2	16	210	56.02%
Novo selo	8590	6941	6267	630	39	6	80.80%
Ruzhintsi	16293	9516	9138	1	15	362	58.41%
Chuprene	12337	2732	433	1	60	2239	22.15%
For the Region:	186723	112102	103142	1246	604	7109	60.04%

1.4 Agricultural production in the area of Zajecar and Vidin districts

Zaječar district

In the Zajecar district, agricultural production is divided into two main grups – cereal production and fruit growing. In both cases, the number of crops grown is narrowed, so that wheat and maize are dominate in cereal production, and dominant fruits are: sour cherries, plums and grapes. Other production, primarily vegetable production, is reduced to smaller areas and is oriented towards meeting the needs of municipal markets.

Tables 3. Physical indicators of agricultural production in the Zajecar district for 2018.

Cereal production	Total, ha	wheat	rye	barley	oats	maize	other
Zaječar	21225,2	5283,4	255,6	1278,3	760,1	5688,8	400,2
Boljevac	10678,2	2013,6	25,9	465,45	341,5	2556,5	134,9
Knjaževac	7328,3	1954,3	24,1	399,5	116,4	2239,6	23,5
Sokobanja	9597,0	2562,8	10,9	357,35	170,6	2772,9	33,8
Zaječar district	48828,7	11814,07	316,6	2500,6	1388,7	13257,8	592,5

 

Vegetables, ha	tomatoes	cabbage and kale	paprika	onion	garlic	cauliflower	carrot	pea	other
Zaječar	17,5	25,3	27,5	24,3	6,6	1,8	3,6	5,1	13,1
Boljevac	8,5	7,9	8,5	7,4	3,7	0,2	1,2	3,0	9,1
Knjaževac	9,3	12,1	21,3	6,2	2,8	0,4	1,2	2,6	9,6
Sokobanja	8,1	7,5	14,4	13,0	6,4	0,2	0,8	2,8	3,0
Zaječar district	43,4	52,8	71,7	50,89	19,5	2,4	6,8	13,4	34,8

 

Fruit, ha	total	apple	pear	apricot	sour cherry	plum	quince	nut	hazelnut	raspberries	blackberries
Zaječar	983,5	54,0	14,9	16,7	295,6	136,7	13,7	22,6	17,5	1,7	6,9
Boljevac	408,4	7,8	4,8	1,4	14,7	53,5	4,0	12,3	6,5	0,7	2,0
Knjaževac	1724,8	43,5	7,9	0,6	912,3	414,5	10,8	30,3	17,4	1,2	31,4
Sokobanja	487,2	2,5	1,2	0,0	2,4	27,2	1,9	4,7	1,8	0,1	1,3
Zaječar district	3603,9	107,7	28,7	18,8	1225,0	631,8	30,4	69,9	43,2	3,8	41,6

 

Vineyards, ha	total	fertile
Zaječar	463,23	446,23
Boljevac	62,22	60,35
Knjaževac	402,57	386,98
Sokobanja	57,55	52,75
Zaječar district	985,57	946,31

 

As regards livestock production, in the area of Zajecar district, there is a tendency of declining production from year to year.

Table 4. Livestock production in the Zaječar district in 2018

Livestock production	Cattle	Pig	Sheep	Poultry
Zaječar	7804	37764	14180	102295
Boljevac	5551	8875	11045	46739
Knjaževac	2949	9549	13485	60406
Sokobanja	4756	11478	8986	35158
Zaječar district	21060	67666	47696	244598

 

Vidin Region

The analysis of the plant growing shows that the area is typical with the production of wheat, barley, maize, sunflower, fruit, wine and vegetables. The most favorable soil and climate conditions for agriculture are in the Northern part of the flat area at the turn of the river Danube - Bregovo, Novo Selo and some municipalities of Vidin, Ruzhintsi and Dimovo.

Table 5. Physical indicators of agricultural production in the Vidin district for 2017-2018 agricultural year.

Production	Sunflower	Wheat	Legumes (chickpeas, beans)	Barley	Feed peas	maize (ha)	Oilseed rape
Vidin district	36594,5	36491	4743,6	2087,9	1234,5	15120,5	3726

 

Vegetable production in the district is relatively low in view of the suitable soil and climate conditions for the industry. Tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, cabbage, peas and beans are grown in small gardens and greenhouses.

Other crop

In the Vidin region, perennial essential oils were traditionally cultivated. In recent years, there has been an interest in this type of plantation and farmers are creating new plantings. In the municipality of Bregovo plantations have been created with a hub and an oil rose, which are planned to expand.
In Kula municipality, 150ha coriander were sown and harvested, in Bregovo municipality – 5.7 ha of sesame seeds, and in Belogradchik municipality – 3,7 ha of dill.

 

Crop	hectares (31.12.2018)
lavender	23,4
oilseed rose	3,5
and others essential oils of rose hips	10,4

 

Orchyards (ha)

Fruit	apple	pear	apricot	cherry	sour cherry	peach	plum	apple
Vidin District	58,1	4,4	4,33	15,67	3,95	2,8	120,1	6,1

 

Fruit	strawberries	raspberries	blackberries	Goji  Berry	walnuts	Almonds	Hazelnut
Vidin District	14,5	7	7,8	7,96	259,9	8,4	40,4

 

Vineyards
The vineyards in the district occupy 16 57.7 hectares. The municipalities with the largest vine areas are Novo Selo and Vidin. Of the varietal composition predominate:

• from the reds - Cabernet Sauvignon, Gumza and Merlot
• from whites - Rkatsiteli and Muscat drowned

Dessert vineyards occupy 1 68, 7 hectares.

The natural conditions of the Vidin district enable the breeding of any kind of livestock and define livestock as the second important segment of agriculture in the area. At the same time, relatively good conditions for the development of cereals’ production and production of plants for feeding the livestock create conditions for the development of dairy cattle, pigs and poultry in this areas. On the other hand, numerous high-quality pastures and meadows in the mountainous area create good conditions for the development of sheep and cattle.

Table 6.  Number of available animals in Vidin District

Type	2018
Cattle - total	5181
Incl.  cows	3730
Sheep - total	13500
Incl. Sheep mothers	12220
Goats- total	6413
Incl.  goats mothers	5820
Pigs- total	4149
Incl. Pigs  mothers	398
Equines (horses, donkeys, mules)	1394
Poultry - total	153392
Bee colonies	25257