Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science was primared with
the highest prize for scientific publications by Ministry of Education and
Science in Bulgaria for 1997, 1999 and 2002.
From the beginning of 1995 the Agricultural Academy in Bulgaria is publishing
Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science (BJAS) - the first agricultural
scientific journal in Bulgaria for fundamental and applied researches, published
entirely in English language, and one of the few such journals in Central
Europe.
Bulgaria is an agricultural country with traditions and long standing experience
in the development of agrarian science and production. BJAS, printing in English,
in accordance with international standards, provides possibilities for Bulgarian
agricultural science to enter adequately into the world's scientific field,
to find its place in reviews, abstracts and electronic means for processing
and transfer of scientific information.
Besides scientific articles provided in Bulgarian universities and research
institutes, BJAS publishes also articles from Eastern Europe and other countries
all over the world.
The Editorial board of the journal includes prominent scholars from United
Kingdom, Belgium, Slovenia, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Czech Republic
and Bulgaria.
The Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science was born by
the initiative of enthusiastic scientists, driven by the desire to promote
Bulgarian agricultural science to the place it deserves in the space of international
scientific literature. Science has always been a world concept. All national
contributions flow into common science in the way rivers flow into the world
ocean.
Bulgarian agrarian science has developed original plant cultivars and animal
breeds, efficient method and technologies. It has important things to communicate
and we have to provide it with the adequate tool to do so. And we will only
be heard if we use a popular, widely spoken language. There is no doubt -
today, English is the language of international communication and we have
chosen it for the journal.
The journal was born at the beginning of democratic changes in Bulgaria. An
association of scientific and research institutes, universities, professional
organizations and separate scientists, sharing the idea, was established for
its publishing.
A preparation started for a journal, named Sustainable Agriculture and Rural
Development (SARD). This name targeted the emphasis on new issues, relevant
to agrarian science as well as filling a gap in world periodicals. On the
other hand, a specialized journal would attract more foreign authors and become
a forum for discussing problems of growing importance.
It may sound as a paradox, but the then administration of agrarian science
and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry not only did not cooperate for
the publication of the journal but expressed disagreement, did not perceive
its importance and obstructed the implementation of the idea. One of the motives
was that Prof. Garbuchev was about to publish a journal Bulgarian Agriculture.
Prof. Todorov decided that it would not be appropriate to start the publication
of two journals with equal coverage at the same time and had a meeting with
Prof. Garbuchev to share his opinion. The compromise gave birth to the name
of the new journal - Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science.
As with all starts, there were difficulties. We could feel the lack of inner
assurance and interest among agrarian scientists to publish in a foreign language.
Gradually, however, the interest to being published in BJAS expanded and the
inflow of articles in the recent years overcame the capacity of a calendar
year. Thus, in the first year of the journal establishment (1995), about 70
articles were submitted for publication, mainly from Bulgaria. In the years
that followed, this number gradually expanded and now, by mid 2004, we have
a count of about 1,392 articles. Of them, 1,198 were published and 194 (14%
of total submitted) - rejected. The percentage of rejected articles has grown
from zero in 1995 to 32% in 2003. Of the articles published, 130 (or 11%)
were submitted by foreign authors from the USA, Norway, The Netherlands, Turkey,
Great Britain, Russia, Japan, India, Egypt, Pakistan, Iraq, China and Spain,
etc.
The average size of the articles has expanded from 4.6 in 1995 to 6.1 pages
in 2003.
There is a growing interest to the materials published - authors receive letters
from all over the world by researchers, interested in the scientific results
published. A major interest was shown to the reports of four international
conferences, published in the journal.
Presently, the journal is quoted in 35 foreign reference journals.
BJAS is distributed in over 40 world countries, both by literature exchange
schedule and subscription. The web page, developed in 2003, played a special
role for its recognition by making it accessible to scientists all over the
world. In 3 years, it has been visited 3,620 times by readers, or our web
page has been accessed 3.3 times a day.
BJAS was awarded three times by the Ministry of Education and Science Scientific
Research Fund - in 1997, 1999 and 2000, for its contribution in reflecting
the achievements of agricultural science in Bulgaria and abroad.
We admit, there are weaknesses, some of them related to the financial instability
of agrarian science in Bulgaria at present. The presentation of articles could
be improved; investigations justified with better reasoning; local scientific
facts and innovations projected better by means of a competent discussion;
most adequate mathematic methods used for presenting the results and proving
their significance.
The journal has made its first steps and reached adolescence, it is becoming
stronger and gaining due respect by virtue of the devoted efforts of its founders
and supporters, active support of hundreds of authors, convinced in the importance
and popularity of BJAS in the scientific world.
Let us wish it wise maturity so that it successfully spreads Bulgarian contribution
to agrarian science and assists the growth and recognition of new generations
of Bulgarian scientists.
Good luck!
The life of academician Tsvetkov has been filled with meaning and deeds
to the objective of research advance into a specific area - cryobiology and
lyophilization. Along these lines the lifetime activity of acad. Tsvetkov
has been deeply meaningful, consistent and publicly motivated.
In 1968 he graduated with honours from the Technological University in St.
Petersburgh. He received a Master of Technical Sciences for the brilliant
scientific work included in his diploma paper and was offered a full-time
post-graduate position to study at the same university. What followed were
days and years of hard research to mastering the theoretical basis of a subject
interrelated with large number of human activities - food technologies, medicine,
space travel, dietology, etc.
In 1971 Tsvetkov defended successfully his thesis and got the title of Doctor
of Technical Science. He was appointed as research scientist at the Refrigeration
Technology Institute in Sofia. There he established (1973) and became head
of the first Bulgarian Cryobiology and Lyophilization Laboratory. Quickly
Tsvetkov managed to turn it into a modern laboratory for both consistent research
into, and production of various bio-products with various applications. Years
of laborious activity were dedicated to expanding the score of the laboratories
research as well as creating connections with similar specialized laboratories
and institutes abroad.
In 1973 Tsvetan Tsvetkov became Senior Research Associate, 2nd degree. Then,
in 1979, following the successful defense of his Doctor of Science thesis
he attained the rank of Senior Research Associate, 1st degree. In the same
year he was appointed part-time professor at the Higher Institute of Food
Industry in Plovdiv. Since 1987, Tsvetkov has been full-time professor at
the same institute.
Prof. Tsvetkov was excellent at broadening the research areas of his team,
and managed to integrate them with the worldwide network of specialized scientific
centers. The Cryobiology and Lyophilization Institute commenced joint research
work with the specialized laboratory of the US Red Cross organization, the
International Cryogenics Institute in Paris, the US Association of Tissue
Banks, the International Confederation of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry,
the Japanese Society of Low-temperature Medicine, and a number of scientific
centers in the former USSR. For the organization of such a wide-range cooperation
the unique credit goes to Prof. Tsvetkov. For this reason he was chosen as
a member in all these organizations. A high international appreciation of
this activity was his being elected Vice President of the Cryobiology and
Lyophilization Commission at the International Cryogenics Institute in Paris.
Since 1977 Prof. Tsvetkov has represented Bulgaria in the Cryobiology and
Lyophilization International Association based in the USA. This is yet another
recognition of the scientific and organizational activity of acad. Tsvetkov,
for his significant contributions in the field of cryobiology and lyophilization.
The considerable role of acad. Tsvetkov in establishing the cooperation between
our Cryobiology and Lyophilization Institute and acknowledged international
scientific centers is evident in the estimate made by Prof. Dr. Harold Merriman,
Program Director of the US Naval Medicine Research Institute in Washington:
"The cooperation set up by Prof. Tsvetkov has provided opportunities
for exchange of extremely useful information on the mechanism of low-temperature
tolerance in plants, as well as on issues concerning oxygen exchange through
transfused red blood cells and hemoglobin. We highly esteem the research contributions
of Prof. Tsvetkov, and his experience in the production of bone and skin preparations
for clinical application, used by the US Association of Tissue Banks."
This high appreciation on behalf of the great experts in the field of cryobiology
and lyophilization is a proof of acad. Tsvetkov`s incontestable achievements
at the institute he runs, both in the theoretical investigations and the production
of biopreparations.
In 1989 Prof. Tsvetkov was elected correspondent-member, and in 1995 a full
member (academician) at the Bulgarian Academy of Science (BAS). These acts
of high recognition were preceded by years of hard, dedicated work in a particularly
difficult research field.
The scientific research of acad. Tsvetkov has been done in the field of cryobiology
and lyophilization, more precisely in fundamental cryobiology. His major findings
have been documented in over 250 papers and studies. About 140 of them have
been published in foreign scientific journals and publications of international
organizations. One of the most highly credited US journals, Cryobiology,
has published 35 of his works. This scientific production includes 11 monographs,
1 of which written in German and 2 - in Russian, 14 monographic books, a number
of text books, reference books, reviews and leaflets.
Thanks to the research of acad. Tsvetkov and the activity of the institute
he has been in charge of, Bulgaria has taken one of the leading position in
the utilization of cryoconservation and lyophilization methods. In this sphere
acad. Tsvetkov has founded a Bulgarian school and prepared specialists for
expanding this field. He is also the founder and the head of the International
Cryobiology and Lyophilization School. This School holds biennial workshops
and has been approved as an international scientific and training forum.
Acad. Tsvetkov has rendered great services to the development of knowledge
in the field of cryoconservation and sublimation drying. He is equally credited
for dissemination of the knowledge and methods in this field. The 11 monographs
he has published are valuable methodological manuals both for research, and
for the high level production of bioproducts.
In the field of medicine, acad. Tsvetkov`s monographs on the subjects of cryobiology
and blood are of particular value as methodology papers, tissue transplants,
blood biopreparations, and bioproducts for medical practice. Rundowns of these
methodology manuals have been published in a large number of specialized publications.
Apart from the theoretical conclusions and the experimental material discussed
in them, they offer precious operation methods in the related production activity.
Since 2001 acad. Tsvetkov became an Editor-in-Chief of Bulgarian Journal of
Agricultural Science.
A considerable part of acad. Tsvetkov`s technologies and methods for efficient
bioproducts for food, medical, and special purposes have been patented. Their
originality and high effectiveness have attracted the interest of specialized
companies and firms from abroad. On these grounds projects have been evolved
for joint ventures.
Acad. Tsvetkov has been a long-term lecturer at the University of Food and
Beverage Industry in Plovdiv. His rich specialized knowledge and teaching
talents are at the core of the affection on behalf of students, graduates,
and post-graduates. His activity as director of studies has resulted in the
successful defending of 25 PhD theses and 25 graduation papers. He has also
been in charge of specialization courses of a great number of specialists
from home and abroad.
The fruitful academic teaching activity of acad. Tsvetkov has been recognized
by the University awarding him the title of Doctor Honoris Causa.
Acad. Tsvetkov has actively participated in the international research areas.
He is member of many international scientific organizations and centers. He
has delivered more than 86 papers at international scientific congresses and
symposia, 62 of which held at foreign scientific centers.
Since 2000 acad. Tsvetkov has been the President of the National Center for
Agrarian Sciences. Bulgaria needs of well-developed agricultural science.
This is one of the prerequisites for overcoming the crisis that our agricultural
production has been into. This is also one of the key terms, for Bulgaria
to preserve the production of specific products, in the process of joining
the EU.
We are confident that acad. Tsvetkov has the strength to defend the interests
of the national agricultural scientific system. Let us wish him health, fortitude
and courage to surmount the hardships. Not only the agricultural, but the
entire Bulgarian scientific community have been following with concern the
efforts for preserving the agricultural scientific potential, and the available
research and experimental base.
Prof. Todorov was born in 1934, studied zootechnics at the Agricultural
University in Sofia, graduated in 1957 and worked for a period of 40 years
(1960 - 1999) at the Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology of
the Faculty of Zootechnics, Agricultural University, Sofia (later transformed
to Agrarian Faculty, Thracian University, town of Stara Zagora).
His long years of research work were totally devoted to metabolism and animal
nutrition practices. He has over 200 scientific publications on the subject,
including 51 abroad as well as over 190 special topic and popular science
articles. His scientific contribution has been referenced over 1,200 times
in Bulgarian scientific literature as well as 129 times in foreign journals.
He is the author of 43 books, personally and in co-authorship, including 4
published abroad, on animal nutrition and management, feed production, processing
and rational feeding, feed production planning and organization. His books
on nutrition of cattle and other farm animal species have largely affected
animal husbandry in Bulgaria.
Prof. Todorov is well known as a good theoretician in animal nutrition, having
developed (1988-1991) and implemented new modern evaluation systems of energy
and protein nutrition values of ruminant feed. According to the new system,
energy is measured by milk feed units (MFU) and growth feed units (GFU) and
protein - as intestine digestible (IDP) and belly protein balance (BPB). He
is also known for developing the first feeding rates for cattle, water buffalo,
sheep and goat, based on the new energy units as well as indicators of protein
nutritive value.
Prof. Todorov has been Vice President of the Thracian University and Dean
of the Agricultural Faculty for two terms. In 1990, Prof. Todorov founded
the Union of Zooengineers in Bulgaria and was its President until 1998. He
has also been member of the Managing Council (1990 - 1998) and Vice President
of the European Association of Animal Production for one term (1994 - 1997).
Prof. Todorov has been on the editorial boards of a number of journals, such
as: Livestock Production Science (1990-2000), Egyptian Journal of Dairy Science
(1993), Egyptian Journal of Animal Science (1995), Journal of Mountain Agriculture
on the Balkans (1998) and Trakia Journal of Science (2003). He is the founder,
Editor-in-Chief and long-term member of the Editorial Board of the Bulgarian
Journal of Agricultural Science (1995). He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief
of the Feedstuffs and Nutrition Journal, published by the Union of Feedstuffs
Manufacturers.
He has been coordinator and president of the International Symposium on Protein
Metabolism in Ruminants (Stara Zagora - 1987) and member of the organizing
committees of 6 scientific symposia, held abroad. Prof. Nikolay Todorov has
repeatedly been invited as a lecturer and session chairman to international
conferences and symposia. He has held courses on animal nutrition in Mongolia
(1981), Cuba (1985) and Greece (1990 - 1999) and lectured in 18 different
universities in the USA, Japan, Australia, Great Britain and other European
countries. He has been mentor of 14 PhD students (incl. 3 foreigners).
Prof. Nikolay Todorov has been awarded several prizes for scientific contribution
by the Academy of Agricultural Science. He has been decorated with the Cyril
and Methodius medal - II Degree (1984). In 2004, he was elected Professor
Emeritus of the Thracian University.
Prof. Yanko Ivanov Profirov was born in 1938 in the town of Malko Turnovo.
In 1961 he graduated from the Higher Veterinary Medical Institute in Sofia.
In 1966 after the award of competition, he was entered in as regular post-graduate
student on biochemistry in the Institute of Stock-Breading in Kostinbrod.
He was granted a Doctor's degree in 1970 and in 1991 the scientific degree
of a Doctor of agricultural sciences. He worked in the Institute of Stock-Breading
in Kostinbrod as a research associate, senior research associate II rank and
senior research associate I rank, from 1971 until 1995. He was chief of a
Section on biochemistry and a head of the Institute of Stock-Breeding Sciences,
Kostinbrod. From 1995 to 2000 he was a deputy-chairman and a major scientific
secretary of the Agricultural Academy. He is a professor on biochemistry in
the Veterinary Faculty of the Forestry Engineering University, Sofia, since
2000.
Prof. Profirov was studying for specialization in the laboratory on membrane
transport of the Czech Academy of Sciences - Prague.
He was a member of many scientific council meetings, a member of MPC on stockbreeding
and his secretary and MPC on Veterinary Medicine on the Supreme Attestation
Commission (SAC). He was a member of the Presidium of SAC from 2001 to 2003.
He was a member of the Accreditation Council of the National Agency for Appraisal
and Accreditation in the Council of Ministers, a chairman and a member of
the technical and experts' council on agriculture in the Ministry of Education
and Science, a member of the managing council of the National Centre for Agricultural
sciences.
Prof. Profirov was participating in the editors' teams of many scientific
journals: Editor-in-Chief of Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, a
member and an Editor-in-Chief of "Animal Stock-Breeding Sciences", a member
of the editor's team of "Ecology and Future" magazine.
He was a chairman of the scientific and publishing council of the Editor's
Office of the scientific magazines of Agricultural Academy.
Prof. Profirov took part in the elaboration of over 30 scientific projects
and was a project-leader of 20 of them. He was a scientific instructor of
3 post-graduate students and a lot of diploma projects students.
The scientific activity of Prof. Profirov is mainly in the area of digestion
biochemistry and animals reproduction. He paid major attention to the composition
structure and function of biological membranes in relation with the transport
of foodstuff and the reproduction processes, as well as the biochemistry changes
that occur during the crioconservation of sex gametes. He published over 130
scientific papers in Bulgarian and foreign magazines, like Int. J. Bioch.,
GB, J. of Repr. and Fert., Archives Anim. Nutr., Berlin, etc.
His scientific papers are cited by lot of our and foreign authors. Over 40
of his scientific research projects were reported at international and national
symposiums. Three of them were awarded the first award at different symposiums,
which means the have been highly evaluated.