Desislava Boneva: Agriculture is a vocation that requires the combination of extensive knowledge, skills, experience, hard work and dedication

PhD student at the Department of Phytopathology, specialty Plant Protection, Agricultural University – Plovdiv

Modern Bulgarian agriculture is founded on deep-rooted traditions. Besides being a national asset, it also has a scientific basis – science and practice have always gone hand in hand. My family has been engaged in grain production for more than 33 years. From an early age I have been part of the agricultural business and the issues related to it. Therefore, it was natural for me to continue developing in this field. I chose the Master’s degree programme in „Plant Protection“ at the Agricultural University in Plovdiv because I believe this is the best place for training agricultural specialists with an academic spirit and traditions. During my Master’s studies my interest in phytopathology increased. I decided to build upon what I had learned over the years and to deepen my knowledge in this field, and I chose a PhD programme at the Department of „Phytopathology“, scientific specialty „Plant Protection‘‘.

Thanks to the education and training support programmes offered by the university, as well as with the support of my scientific supervisor Prof. DSc Svetoslav Bobev, I undertook a specialization in Belgium.

In 2020, I was among the awardees of the „Student of the Year“ prize in the category „Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine“. 

In 2022, I was selected through a competition to serve as an adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, Yavor Gechev. I am grateful to all lecturers over the years for the valuable knowledge and experience I have gained, for their collegial attitude, and for the continuity they have maintained.