World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: agritech as a strategic ally to safeguard soil, water and productivity

• Against a backdrop of growing water scarcity, technological innovation is becoming a decisive factor in protecting crop yields and strengthening the resilience of regions most exposed to the effects of climate change. 
• Roberto Mancini (CEO of Diagram Group): “Sustainability is not built solely through new infrastructure, but also through smarter and more efficient resource management. Today, agritech technologies enable the vast amount of data collected across the region to be transformed into concrete operational guidance, supporting farmers in optimising water use and strengthening the resilience of farms in the face of the effects of climate change

Jolanda di Savoia (Fe), 17 June 2026 – Desertification and drought have become one of the main threats to European and Italian agriculture. To mark the World Day Against Desertification and Drough Diagram Group is drawing attention to the need to accelerate the digitalisation of the agricultural sector, highlighting the contribution of agritech technologies to preserving water resources, improving soil management and increasing the resilience of agricultural businesses. 

According to the United Nations, land degradation currently affects over 40 per cent of the Earth’s land surface and, unless the current trend is reversed, by 2030 it will be necessary to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land globally. The 2026 World Day forms part of the international effort aimed at strengthening soil restoration and climate change adaptation measures. 

Italy is among the European countries most exposed to water stress. In recent years, extreme weather events, reduced rainfall and rising temperatures have particularly affected the regions of Southern Italy, Sicily and Sardinia – areas considered to be among the most vulnerable to desertification. The Joint Research Centre of the EU has long been drawing attention to the need to adopt integrated strategies for sustainable land management to combat soil degradation and water scarcity. 

The consequences are already evident throughout the agri-food supply chain. According to the latest data from Istat, over one million Italian citizens have been subject to water rationing measures, with the situation being particularly critical in the southern regions. 

In this context, agritech is becoming an increasingly strategic tool. Sensors installed in the field, satellite imagery, weather stations, IoT systems and AI-based predictive models now make it possible to monitor crop and soil conditions in real time, promptly identifying situations of water stress and supporting more effective decision-making. 

Thanks to precision farming, it is possible to schedule targeted irrigation, distribute water only where it is needed and significantly reduce waste. Digital technologies also make it possible to assess the health of crops, optimise the use of production inputs and improve the economic and environmental sustainability of farms. 

‘In recent years, we have witnessed a profound transformation of the agricultural sector,’ says Roberto Mancini, CEO of Diagram Group. ‘The modern farmer does not merely manage fields and production, but also manages data, information and climate risks. Artificial intelligence, integrated with sensor technology and satellite observation, enables us to anticipate critical issues and support faster, more informed decisions. Technology does not replace the farmer’s experience, but it enhances their ability to respond to increasingly complex phenomena.” 

Diagram, an Italian and European leader in agritech innovation, develops and integrates digital solutions to support agricultural businesses, agri-food supply chains, public institutions, and financial and insurance organisations in the sustainable management of the land. Through software platforms, monitoring systems, precision farming services and artificial intelligence tools, it contributes to the widespread adoption of more efficient and resilient production models. 

Among the most practical applications are systems that process satellite and meteorological data to identify the areas of a farm most exposed to water stress, predictive models that suggest the optimal time for irrigation, and digital tools that enable technicians to remotely monitor thousands of hectares of cultivated land. These are complemented by networks of sensors and agrometeorological stations installed directly in the field, capable of detecting parameters such as soil moisture, temperature, rainfall and microclimatic conditions in real time. These integrated solutions enable timely and targeted action, reducing water consumption, operating costs and environmental impact. 

‘The challenge of desertification concerns not only the future of agriculture, but also food security, business competitiveness and the protection of natural resources,’ concludes Mancini. ‘This is why we believe that digital innovation must become increasingly accessible and widespread. Data, artificial intelligence and precision farming are essential tools for building an agricultural sector capable of tackling the climate challenges of the coming decades.’ 

Diagram 
Diagram was established in 2024 following the restructuring of the IBF Servizi SpA Group and the acquisitions of Agronica Srl, Abaco SpA, Agriconsulting SpA and Netsens Srl. It is the leading Italian and European provider of digital services for the agri-food sector, specialising in the development of farm management software and the management of processes for the delivery, monitoring and control of environmental and agricultural support programmes.  As a partner to major governments across Europe, it supports public administrations, agricultural businesses, banks and insurance companies, and the agri-food industry with the aim of promoting social, economic and environmental sustainability. Today, the company is 41.6% owned by CDP Equity (Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Group), 41.6% by Trilantic Europe and 15% by BF Agricola.