Vercelli, Italy
Italian agricultural machinery manufacturers have unveiled a specialized lineup of advanced technologies and equipment for rice cultivation during the ongoing RISO’ exhibition in Vercelli, running from September 11 to 13.
Organized by the Province and City of Vercelli alongside Italy’s National Rice Authority (Ente Nazionale Risi) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (MASAF), the event highlights technology as a critical lever for economic and environmental sustainability in European rice production.
Italy is Europe’s primary rice producer, cultivating over 230,000 hectares and supplying more than 50 percent of the continent’s total output. However, the sector faces mounting challenges, including recurring drought cycles, depressed producer prices, and stiff competition from international imports.
To maintain competitiveness and reduce production costs, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation (FederUnacoma) is showcasing 17 specialized machines designed to manage each phase of paddy field operations with high precision.
The exhibition features versatile tractors adapted for ploughing, sowing, irrigation, and harvesting; multi-purpose blades designed to build robust embankments that prevent water seepage; and advanced laser levelling blades that create horizontal field surfaces for uniform water management.
The display also highlights zero-emission electric telescopic loaders, specialized combine harvesters, reaper-binders for dry-farmed rice varieties, precision seeders, and autonomous weeding robots designed to eliminate weeds with pinpoint accuracy while reducing chemical inputs.
FederUnacoma President Mariateresa Maschio emphasized that modern mechanisation allows farmers to preserve water resources, comply with stringent European Union phytosanitary standards, and reduce manual labor costs in a low-margin operating environment.
“The technologies produced by Italian manufacturers are capable of managing rice paddies with extreme precision, complying with the phytosanitary parameters imposed by the European Union, conserving water resources, and significantly reducing labor costs,” Maschio said, noting that controlling production expenses is vital for farm viability.
FederUnacoma Director-General Simona Rapastella added that the federation’s participation underscores its ongoing collaboration with the agricultural ministry to demonstrate the role of mechanisation in sustaining farm competitiveness across Italy.
