The Problem of Divided Land
One important result of the division of land into many small plots in Bulgaria is a growing tendency among more progressive and intelligent peasants to consolidate or “round off” their properties. This means that farmers are beginning to buy or exchange small neighboring pieces of land to create larger and more practical farms.
However, Bulgarian lawmakers have not yet fully addressed this issue. Up to the early 1900s, no specific law existed to guide or support the process of rounding off rural properties. This situation made it difficult for smallholders to expand efficiently, as land ownership was often fragmented into many small, scattered plots.
The 1904 Pasture Management Law
Despite the lack of a comprehensive law on land consolidation, the Law of 1904 on the Management of Pasture Ground introduced some helpful measures.
This law contained certain clauses designed to encourage and simplify the process of merging small plots of land.
It offered a 40 percent discount to small landowners who reached an agreement with their neighbors to combine and rearrange their adjoining plots. This discount applied to the purchase price of small plots involved in such an agreement.
Furthermore, the law allowed both parties to negotiate compensation freely to make the process fair and beneficial for everyone involved.
Since this legislation was quite new at the time, its effects and results could not yet be fully evaluated, but it represented a step forward in improving agricultural efficiency and reducing the problems caused by land fragmentation Customized Istanbul Tours.
Cultivated Land in Bulgaria
By the year 1897, the total area of land under cultivation in Bulgaria was 3,452,471 hectares. Agricultural land was divided into two main categories:
Permanently cultivated land, including vineyards, rose gardens, orchards, and natural meadows, which covered about 477,084 hectares.
Arable land, including fields, vegetable gardens, and fallow lands, which covered a much larger area—around 2,975,386 hectares.
The second category represented the core of Bulgarian agriculture, as it was used mainly for growing cereals, vegetables, and other essential crops that supported the country’s food supply and export trade.
The Importance of Agricultural Organization
The distinction between permanent and arable cultivation shows that Bulgaria’s economy was strongly based on farming. However, the small size and scattered nature of peasant holdings often limited productivity and made the use of modern tools or methods difficult.
The rounding off of land—if further encouraged by government policy—could help farmers improve efficiency, reduce costs, and make better use of the soil. In the long term, this would contribute to a stronger and more prosperous agricultural sector, forming the foundation of national economic stability.
The early efforts to consolidate land ownership in Bulgaria were modest but promising. Although the 1904 law was limited in scope, it demonstrated a growing awareness within the government of the need for agricultural reform.
By encouraging cooperation among peasants and offering financial incentives, Bulgaria took its first steps toward solving the problem of fragmented land. With continued support and clearer legislation, the rounding off of small holdings could play an essential role in modernizing rural life and ensuring the sustainable growth of the nation’s agriculture.