Agriculture

Agricultural traditions during the First Bulgarian state are known to have begun with the settlement of the Slavic tribes in these lands. They were farmers by longstanding tradition. Numerous historical sources attest that agriculture was the Bulgarian population’s main livelihood. Cereal cultivation and viticulture were the principal branches of agricultural production. This is also confirmed by the fact that taxes during the First Bulgarian state were paid in kind: wheat, millet and wine. Agricultural implements included the ard, plough, goad, axes, harrow and sickles.

Flax was another widely cultivated crop during the First Bulgarian Empire. It is the oldest fibre crop, and its cultivation for textile production was widespread in the Bulgarian lands and played an important economic role.

During the 18th century, interest in linen cloth increased, as did exports from the Bulgarian lands to Transylvania and other parts of the Balkan Peninsula. Traditions of flax cultivation in the Bulgarian lands are documented in Batak and the Rhodope Mountains.