Advanced agricultural machinery designed specifically for rice cultivation is taking centre stage at the RISO’ exhibition in Vercelli, where Italian manufacturers are showcasing technologies aimed at improving efficiency, precision and sustainability across the entire rice production process.
The exhibition, organised as part of RISO’, features 17 innovative machines developed for specialised rice field operations. The event is taking place in Vercelli from September 11 to 13 and is organised by the Province and City of Vercelli together with the National Rice Authority (Ente Nazionale Risi), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (MASAF).
Advanced Machinery for Rice Farming
Italy is Europe’s leading rice producer, with more than 230,000 hectares dedicated to rice cultivation. The country accounts for more than 50% of total European rice production and is known for its high-quality rice varieties.
However, the sector is facing growing challenges, including drought, low market prices and increasing competition from imported rice. Against this backdrop, advanced agricultural machinery is becoming increasingly important for improving productivity and controlling production costs.
The machinery showcased at RISO’ is designed to address different stages of rice cultivation. Powerful and versatile tractors can be used for ploughing, sowing, irrigation and harvesting, while specialised blades help farmers construct and maintain rice field embankments.
Levelling equipment is another key technology on display. These machines create perfectly horizontal rice paddies, allowing water to be distributed more evenly and helping farmers manage water resources more efficiently.
Precision Technology and Agricultural Robots
The exhibition also highlights the growing role of precision agriculture in rice production. Precision seeders, electric telescopic loaders and specialised harvesting equipment demonstrate how mechanisation can reduce labour requirements while improving operational efficiency.
Among the most innovative technologies on display is an agricultural robot capable of performing cultivation tasks such as precision weeding. Such autonomous technologies could play an increasingly important role in addressing labour shortages and reducing the costs associated with rice cultivation.
Combine harvesters equipped with specialised harvesting attachments and reaper-binders designed for dry-farmed rice fields are also featured at the exhibition.
Technology to Support Sustainable Rice Production
According to FederUnacoma, the Italian agricultural machinery industry is developing technologies capable of managing rice fields with a high degree of precision while complying with European phytosanitary requirements and helping conserve water resources.
Mariateresa Maschio, President of FederUnacoma, said that advanced machinery can help farmers significantly reduce labour costs and keep production expenses under control in a sector currently facing low profitability.
The use of precision machinery is also becoming increasingly important as farmers seek to manage water, soil and other production factors more scientifically.
Mechanisation Seen as Key to Competitiveness
FederUnacoma Director-General Simona Rapastella highlighted the organisation’s collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry and said its participation in RISO’ forms part of a broader programme focused on agricultural mechanisation.
The programme includes machinery exhibitions and field demonstrations at major agricultural events, with the aim of showing how modern equipment can support the competitiveness of agricultural businesses.
The RISO’ exhibition also follows the successful debut of agricultural machinery at the first edition of the event in September 2025.
