SOFIA, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- The fourth edition of the international forum for agriculture and food industry kicked off in the International Fair in Plovdiv on Wednesday.

More than 700 exhibitors from 33 countries and regions are participating in the five-day event, which includes six exhibitions related to agriculture, viticulture and enology, beekeeping and food industry.

Lozana Vassileva, Bulgarian deputy minister of agriculture, food and forestry, said at the opening ceremony that this exhibition has gained popularity and established reputation among manufacturers and traders far beyond her country.

Ivan Sokolov, board chairman of International Fair Plovdiv, said in turn that 72 innovations were presented at the event, twice more than in 2016.

The event is accompanied by a comprehensive business events program comprising over 50 conferences, seminars, roundtables, discussions and presentations on the current issues and trends in agriculture.