A stochastic frontier approach to nitrogen use and efficiency in soft wheat cultivation

Purpose: This study evaluates the impact of nitrogen recommendations provided by a Decision Support Systems (DSS) on soft wheat production and technical efficiency in specialized Italian cereal farms. Methods: Employing a Stochastic Frontier Analysis, the research evaluates the relationship between adherence to DSS recommendations and farm performance. The analysis relies on real farm data from the Barilla Farming platform, agrarian year 2022/2023, covering 487 farms and 1,664 fields, including suggested and actual nitrogen applications and observed yields. Results: Findings indicate that compliance with DSS recommendations enhances output levels and efficiency, particularly for medium and large farms, whereas deviations, especially over-application, reduce efficiency with potential increase of costs and environmental risks. Notably, small farms maintain efficiency despite lower nitrogen applications, indicating the need for tailored DSS calibration. Results highlight the importance of site-specific nitrogen management strategies to optimize both economic and environmental outcomes. Conclusion: While promoting DSS adoption is essential, our findings suggest that ensuring farmers’ compliance with DSS recommendations is equally—if not more—critical to realizing its full benefits. Policymakers and extension services should not only encourage the uptake of DSS but also focus on strategies that enhance farmers’ adherence to recommended practices. Additionally, ensuring the adaptability of DSS to different farm structures is key to maximizing its impact across varying production scales.