World Environment Day: the role of agri-tech in sustainable and resilient agriculture

• Diagram Group highlights the importance of data, innovation and digitalisation in strengthening the resilience of agri-food supply chains and protecting natural resources. 
• Roberto Mancini (CEO of Diagram Group): “World Environment Day calls for deep reflection on the development model we want for our planet, and technology is sustainability’s most powerful ally. The goal is clear: to cultivate the future whilst safeguarding the planet.”

Jolanda di Savoia (Fe), June 5, 2026 – Optimising water use, reducing carbon footprint and protecting soil biodiversity without compromising productivity. To mark World Environment Day, Diagram Group, a leading player in the agritech sector, is charting a course for the future of the agri-food industry through digital transformation in the service of the ecological transition.

Agriculture today faces a dual, epoch-making challenge: ensuring global food security whilst drastically reducing its environmental impact against the backdrop of a severe climate crisis. In this scenario, the adoption of advanced technological solutions (from precision farming to AI-based decision support systems) is no longer an option, but an urgent necessity.

Leading this vision is Roberto Mancini, CEO of Diagram Group, who states: ‘World Environment Day calls for deep reflection on the development model we want for our planet. And technology is sustainability’s most powerful ally’. Mancini emphasises that “Agritech does not mean standardising nature, but understanding it better through data”. Indeed, “thanks to IoT sensors, predictive algorithms and satellite mapping, we now enable farmers to intervene only where and when needed, reducing water wastage and the use of pesticides. Our goal is clear: to cultivate the future whilst safeguarding the planet”.

The three pillars of agritech supporting environmental sustainability primarily concern water efficiency, thanks to smart irrigation systems that integrate weather data and soil moisture information to optimise water use, an increasingly strategic resource, especially during periods of drought. This is complemented by precision nutrition, based on advanced algorithms for the targeted application of fertilisers, with the aim of reducing waste, limiting leaching and contributing to the protection of aquifers. The third area is climate mitigation, through constant monitoring of soil health and support for carbon farming practices, which enhance the role of agricultural land as natural carbon sinks.

“There is no real ecological transition that is not also digital,” concludes Roberto Mancini. “Our mission is to make these technologies increasingly accessible and integrable into the production processes of all farms, from large, structured operations to small-scale producers ,” concludes Mancini. “Sustainability can only become a concrete model if it is translated into easy-to-use tools, measurable data and more informed daily decisions in the field. Digitalisation, sensor technology, predictive models and management platforms enable farmers to optimise the use of water, fertilisers and plant protection products, reducing waste and environmental impact without compromising productivity and quality. It is in this transition, from declarations of principle to practical application, that agritech innovation can generate real value for businesses, supply chains and local areas.”

Diagram
Diagram was established in 2024 following the transformation 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.
A partner to major governments across Europe, it supports public administrations, agricultural businesses, banking and insurance institutions, 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.