Farmers in the Eastern Rhodopes have reported a critical fodder situation due to the drought.

Grazing areas have been severely reduced and water is scarce due to the hot weather. The drought has put fodder resources at risk. Extra hay, normally saved for the winter, is now being fed to livestock. 

According to the chairman of the United Bulgarian Livestock Farmers Association, Boyko Sinapov, farmers' expenses have risen many times over and many are on the verge of abandoning their herds, BNR correspondent Valya Apostolova reports from Kardzhali. 

"The situation, at least for us in southern Bulgaria, is catastrophic. At the moment, on my farm, I am personally carrying water with water carriers, we are feeding the animals as if we were in the middle of winter. We are in constant contact with colleagues in the country, almost everywhere the grazing ended 15 days ago," said Sinapov.