DIGITAL INNOVATIONS IN CATTLE-BREEDING- OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RURAL AREAS IN BULGARIA

The article explores the transformative effect of the digital innovations in the agrarian sector (in particular ruminant breeding) by tracking both the opportunities, and the challenges, which they represent for the sustainable development of the modern agriculture. Integration of digital technologies in cattle-breeding becomes more and more common, offering potential solutions for increasing of the efficiency, productivity and ecological sustainability. The change towards digitalization brings different challenges, varying from problems related to accessibility to concerns, related to data security and ethical consequences. Based on the existing literature and empirical evidence, this research provides complete analysis of the current conjuncture of the digital innovations in livestock industry, assesses the potential benefits from them and explores the barriers preventing their broad acceptance. The conclusions contribute to nuanced understanding of the role, which the digital technologies play in shaping the future of the sustainable agriculture and the rural areas in Bulgaria. The implemented retrospective analysis shows that the problematic agricultural holdings can be encompassed by digitalization only if serious financial investments are made.