Precision Agriculture: Diagram Group’s Strategic Contribution to a Sustainable and Competitive Sector

Jolanda di Savoia (Fe), 24 march, 2025–Innovation, sustainability, and efficiency are the key pillars at the heart of the digitalization and automation of agricultural processes, aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of supply chains and ensuring food autonomy in our country. These are also the principles that guide Diagram Group’s approach, and the main themes of the position paper “Precision Agriculture in Italy,” presented last Monday at the Chamber of Deputies. The paper is the result of a three-year research project promoted by BF SpA and the Futuri Probabili Association, with the contribution of 62 professors and experts from 14 universities and 9 public and private organizations, including Diagram Group.

The event served as an important opportunity for cross-sectoral analysis and dialogue, fostering integration between different areas of expertise. It featured the participation of the Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, who emphasized the role of new technologies in making the sector more efficient and competitive. Opening the event were Luciano Violante, President of the Futuri Probabili Association, and Michele Pisante, Professor of Agronomy at the University of Teramo and President of BF SpA.

The conference not only highlighted current challenges but also showcased the many benefits the primary sector can derive from the expansion of precision agriculture. Topics discussed included the use of space technologies in agriculture, molecular imaging in plants, and the development of new biosensors embedded in plant stems to monitor their physiological conditions over time.

This multidisciplinary seminar underlined the strategic importance of precision agriculture as an integrated system to tackle modern challenges, particularly for more efficient production management and adaptation to climate change.

“The position paper is a concrete example of how research, education, and business can come together to build a more resilient and high-quality agricultural model. We are extremely proud to have contributed to this work with the expertise and professionalism of our team, which is recognized both in Italy and internationally,” said Roberto Mancini, CEO of Diagram Group.

“This paper further underscores the importance of precision agriculture in tackling today’s major challenges, especially climate change and plant health threats. Precision agriculture is also vital for sustainable water management, reducing pesticide use, and minimizing the number of field operations. In short, it represents a virtuous model for modern agriculture,” Mancini added.

The research involved 62 experts and professors from 14 universities (Bolzano, Perugia, Brescia, Bari Polytechnic, Bologna, Florence, Milan, Tuscia, Padua, Parma, Federico II, Teramo, Sapienza) and 9 organizations and companies (Crea, ASI, Smart AgriFood Observatory, E-geos, CNR, BF SpA, Confagricoltura, CER – Emilia Romagna Consortium).

Diagram was established in 2024, following the transformation of Ibf Servizi, a leading group in precision agriculture solutions, after its acquisition by the Nextalia fund. Thanks to a focused M&A strategy and strong commercial development, the company quickly became a leader in Italy and Europe in providing precision agriculture services and developing farm management software.On December 21, 2024, the official signing—subject to the approvals required by Italian and European regulations prior to finalization—was completed between Nextalia and BF, the current shareholders of the Diagram Group, and CDP Equity and Trilantic Europe, who, together with BF as a reinvesting party, will proceed with the acquisition of 100% of the group’s shares.As a leading provider of precision agriculture services, technological solutions, and professional software applications for the agricultural sector, Diagram serves a client portfolio spanning over 3 million hectares in Italy and more than 500,000 hectares internationally. The company employs around 1,000 people, including both staff and collaborators, across multiple locations in Italy and the United Kingdom.