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Sustainability, Innovation, and Regeneration for the Rice Supply Chain – SORRISO
SORRISO is a project led by xFarm and co-funded by the Lombardy Region under the "Collabora e Innova" call for proposals of the 2021–2027 ERDF Regional Program, involving the collaboration of partners Riso Gallo, ARVAtec, Agricola 2000, the University of Milan, CREA (ZA Research Center in Lodi and IT Research Center IT Milan), and SDA Bocconi, with support from the Cà Granda Foundation for experimental and outreach activities. The synergy between businesses, universities, and research centers enables the development of concrete and transferable solutions, strengthening the link between research and practical application in the field.
In a context marked by climate change, water scarcity, and growing pressure on natural resources, the agricultural sector is also called upon to play an active role by adopting innovative practices and technologies that reduce environmental impact, preserve soil fertility, and optimize resource use, while ensuring farm productivity. The SORRISO project aims to promote a more sustainable, resilient, and future-oriented rice farming system by developing a model that combines agricultural productivity, environmental protection, and technological innovation through an integrated approach that blends regenerative agriculture practices with precision technologies.
The project activities are organized into specific actions covering the entire innovation cycle: i) analysis of the needs of the rice sector and definition of the technological and agronomic requirements for the solutions to be developed; ii) design and implementation of precision technologies through the integration of IoT sensors, drones, digital platforms, and advanced robotic systems for real-time monitoring of crop conditions and the optimization of water and fertilizer use, with a particular focus on the development of the MOONdino autonomous rover for mechanical weed control as an alternative to chemical herbicides; iii) agronomic field trials at rice farms affiliated with Riso Gallo and Fondazione Cà Granda, with comparative tests between conventional, regenerative, and technologically advanced regenerative management models; iv) assessment of environmental and economic impacts through life cycle analysis (LCA), development of an economic-financial model, and precise measurement of the benefits generated. In addition to these, there are cross-cutting actions such as v) cooperation among partners and vi) training and dissemination, aimed at encouraging the adoption of these solutions by operators in the supply chain.
The main expected outcomes are the development and field validation of an integrated model for sustainable rice cultivation; the quantification of environmental and economic benefits in terms of water efficiency, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, elimination of chemical herbicides, and preservation of soil fertility; and the identification of scalable solutions that can be applied across the entire rice supply chain.
Lombardy, the heart of Italian rice cultivation and a key region for national grain production, with its long-standing agricultural tradition, a well-established rice supply chain, and a strong focus on innovation in the agro-environmental sector, provides an ideal setting for testing and consolidating approaches that integrate productivity, sustainability, and resilience.
DURATION: 27 months (from October 1, 2025, to November 30, 2027)
PROGRAM: "Collaborate and Innovate" Call for Proposals – ERDF Regional Program 2021–2027 – Lombardy Region
Useful links:
https://www.openinnovation.regione.lombardia.it/it/bandi-e-sperimentazioni/collabora-innova
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