Italy
International growth starts with insight into local practice needs
If you work on digitalisation or robotics for open-field cultivation, you probably see that agricultural technology is being applied internationally at an increasing pace. The question is not only whether Italy is an interesting market, but where your technology, knowledge or research can connect. During the Innovation mission Italy, you explore which practical needs exist, which parties are relevant and which next step makes sense for collaboration or market exploration. This makes the mission interesting for companies, start ups and knowledge institutions that want to broaden their position in Europe.
Programme Innovation mission Italy
The programme brings participants into contact with the organisations, practical locations and knowledge partners that help shape smart agriculture in Italy.
The mission starts on Sunday evening 25 October with a kick off dinner. From Monday 26 to Thursday afternoon 29 October, a 3.5 day programme follows. The programme is being developed in cooperation with the national Agritech Center in Naples and will take place in Italian regions such as Campania, Emilia Romagna and or Veneto, depending on the final programme.
During the mission, you will visit the Agritech Center for an introduction to the current state of the Italian agricultural innovation network. There will also be meetings with agricultural organisations, financial institutions, researchers, policymakers and companies working on digital agriculture applications. Visits to living labs, farms and local start ups are also part of the programme, alongside seminars and networking events.
The content connects with technology for measuring and monitoring, data and decision making, and autonomous work in open-field cultivation. Think of sensors, AI, drones, robots, digital models and precision applications for water and fertilisation. This gives you a concrete view of where Dutch solutions can contribute to practical challenges in Italy.
Why Italy is relevant for your market exploration
Italy is investing strongly in smart, data driven agriculture and has built a public private innovation network to support this. The market for Agriculture 4.0 digital solutions in Italy is now worth more than 2.5 billion euros and continues to grow, especially in software for farm management, decision support and sensors. That is why it is relevant for Dutch parties to look at Italy not only as a sales market, but also as a partner country for research, practical application and market introduction. Participation helps you understand more quickly who the key players are, which practical needs fit your technology, which funding opportunities are available and which next step makes sense.
Who is the Innovation mission Italy for
The mission is intended for entrepreneurs, technology companies, start ups, researchers, business developers, export leads and innovation project managers active in digitalisation and robotics for open-field cultivation. If you work on sensors, monitoring, data, AI, autonomous machines, drones, Digital Twins or precision applications, this mission gives you access to a relevant international practice context. For knowledge and research institutions that want to build or deepen European collaboration, the programme also offers connections with Italian partners in policy, research, business and agricultural practice.
Looking more broadly at innovation in open-field cultivation
NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood is highlighting this mission because of its strong connection with Handsfree Agrifood. The mission mainly connects with the value of broadening, because Dutch technology is explored in a different practical context, with different partners, scales and market needs. Within the ecosystem, the focus is not only on technological development, but also on collaboration between parties that can test, apply and further develop solutions. At the same time, participation can help speed up next steps, because in a short period of time you gain insight into the market, policy, funding and potential collaborations.
More information, costs and registration for the Innovation mission Italy
The Innovation mission Italy takes place from Sunday 25 to Thursday 29 October 2026 and is organised by RVO, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.
Participation costs 350 euros per person, excluding VAT. This includes the collective programme, transport to programme locations, and lunches and dinners as listed in the final programme. Travel, accommodation and other individual costs are at your own expense.
Registration is open until Friday 26 June 2026.
After registration, it will be assessed whether participation fits the available places and the objectives of the mission.
Do you want to explore where your technology, expertise or research position connects with Italian agricultural innovation? View the mission information and register.