Rising costs have led many farms to reduce input use, particularly fertilizers and crop treatments. According to JRC and FAO studies, this strategy can bring short-term savings but generates agronomic and economic risks in the medium term.

Reductions that are not aligned with soil analysis and crop potential often lead to yield declines. European data show that cutting fertilization by more than 15–20% below requirements can reduce yields to a greater extent than the savings achieved, affecting net income.

In Romania, the lack of fertilization plans based on concrete data amplifies this risk. Many farmers reduce inputs uniformly, without differentiating between plots or crops. From an economic perspective, this approach shifts cost pressure into production losses.

For 2026, reducing inputs is effective only when guided by data and technology. In the absence of this balance, input reduction becomes a risky gamble rather than a sustainable solution.

(Photo: Freepik)