Between Milan and Pavia lies Italy's first valley dedicated to nature-based solutions. This place represents a confluence of regenerative agriculture and technology, augmented by a circular economy and development models that are committed to preserving and enhancing nature, land, industry, the economy, and research and development efforts
Merging regenerative agriculture with land and technology is not only feasible but also advantageous. This approach involves experimentation, patenting, and the meticulous refinement of solutions anchored in a philosophy that is both ancient and modern, with a future-focused outlook. A tangible manifestation of this philosophy is unfolding between Milan and Pavia, laying the groundwork for a future centred on the rejuvenation and valorization of the environment (soil, water, air), circular economy, resource conservation, and advancements in energy and water efficiency, along with technological innovation. The objective is to establish conditions conducive to an enhanced quality of life and the protection of biodiversity, while invigorating local activities and fostering a shared ecosystem that is sustainable from environmental, social, and economic perspectives.
This emerging reality, known as Simbiosi, draws inspiration from agro-environmental projects initiated around 30 years ago by Giuseppe Natta (son of scientist and Nobel laureate Giulio Natta) and the business model conceived by Piero Manzoni in 2018. From its inception, there now lies an expanse of approximately 1000 hectares, believed to have reverted to the environmental conditions of a millennium ago, a time when Carthusian monks implemented their sustainable agriculture and livestock farming practices in this area. Simbiosi follows in these historical footsteps. Stemming from Neoruralehub, it has laid the foundation for what is now recognized as the first Italian and European valley predicated on nature-based solutions.
Within this area, in Giussago (Pavia), stands the Giulio Natta Innovation Center, a research and development nexus for companies, fostering ideas on new technologies, land regeneration solutions, and precision agriculture, alongside the development of renewable energy sources. Moreover, here, the conceptualization and refinement of a replicable smart land model is underway.

TAKEAWAYS
An Idea Born Thirty Years Ago in the Spirit of Renaturalisation
Giuseppe Natta and Piero Manzoni laid the groundwork for Neorurale, the methodology at the core of Simbiosi’s operations, commencing in 1995 with the ambition to forge a genuinely sustainable model based on the principles of the green economy, a concept then in its nascent stages. Near Giussago (Pavia) and Lacchiarella (Milano), a regeneration project imbued with a commitment to biodiversity began. More than a million trees were planted, and it is believed that the conditions present in the year 1000 have been restored.
This is not merely a slogan, but a statement supported by data: in 1996, there were 80 bird species present; by 2021, this number had increased to 217, with the number of nesting bird species in the same period rising from 25 to 65. Among these is the Italian Knight, a species that was at risk until the 1980s and now stands as an iconic symbol of Simbiosi.
The area has witnessed the creation of over 107 hectares of wetlands, 78 hectares of woods, 65 hectares of timber reforestation, and 50 hectares of meadows, in addition to 110 kilometers of hedges and rural rows. Here, over 255 species of plants and flowers thrive, alongside a vast array of insects and animals.
This environmental restoration effort was then extended to the cultivated fields, giving rise to the concept of the Environment Field Margin. This concept is predicated on the aspiration to recreate the original environmental conditions of the geographical area on the peripheries of the cultivated fields, dedicating 10% of the arable land to nature. As explained by Simbiosi:
“These are intricate and integrated elements composed of wooded strips, grassy clearings with flowers, and wet areas, all designed to concentrate diverse ecosystems and rich ecotones within a very confined space, thereby rapidly fostering high levels of plant and animal biodiversity. Consequently, the agro-environmental activities occupy only 10-15% of the company’s land area, yielding the naturalistic and landscape benefits already observed in the area’s pilot experiment and presenting a significant potential for replication in numerous other contexts.”

Regenerative Agriculture, Land, and Technology to Regenerate the Soil
Over time, the themes of regenerative agriculture, land, and technology have progressively integrated. Central to this integration is the valorization of the soil, an essential, finite, and non-renewable resource that is frequently depleted by intensive agricultural practices or, alternatively, falls victim to progressive urbanization. Gianmarco Sola, commercial director of the company, elaborates:
“Here, we are advancing a process focused not just on cultivation, but also on the potential to restore to the soil nutrients not sourced from petroleum but rather derived from the waste of other agri-food productions (approximately 45,000 quintals of rice are cultivated here) or from the organic matrices of suitable waste originating from civil purification processes and processed through a thermophilic biodigester.“
The patented thermophilic anaerobic biodigestion process (NRC – Nutrient Recovery Center) presents the advantage of occurring in considerably smaller spaces compared to non-thermophilic anaerobic digestion.
“This process enables the extraction of functional nutrients from the blend of organic matrices fed into the biodigester. The purpose of the biodigestion extends beyond mere energy production; it is also harnessed to generate fertilizer.”
The temperature necessary for biodigestion is increased using the heat generated by co-generators that utilize biogas, without necessitating any additional energy or water resources. This is because the water used is sourced from the same organic waste matrices. The end product is a natural fertilizer in gel form, which is injected into the soil, eliminating the need for plowing, a practice that adversely affects the existing soil microflora.
Moreover, due to the hygroscopic nature of this gel, it significantly reduces the requirement for water usage. A mere gram of this organic substance can retain water, thus obviating the need for up to 20 liters. Consequently, the synergistic use of ecological fertilizer and optimal water conservation has led to an increase in yields of up to 36% per hectare. This demonstrates that regenerative agriculture, when integrated with technology and a commitment to sustainable and circular practices, can be more beneficial than traditional agricultural methods.
This initiative also intends to venture into new areas, including the generation of biomethane for distribution in public networks for district heating. The next step will involve using this biomethane to produce green hydrogen.
Technology, Digitalization, and AI Enter the Agricultural Arena
The emphasis on soil as a vital natural resource is reinforced through the integration of regenerative agriculture, land, and technology in numerous ways.
Within this 1000-hectare area, various patented technological solutions have been implemented. Research and development is a key area of focus: “Simbiosi serves as an aggregator of diverse startups,” states Vincenzo della Monica, marketing manager of Simbiosi. He highlights that in the innovation center (a 3000 sqm facility within a regenerated farmhouse, one of seven within the territory), multiple projects have been developed, often in collaboration with Italian universities, research centers, and innovative SMEs.
The technology is showcased in the development of solutions for renewable energy production from anaerobic digestion, photovoltaic systems, and models for energy and water savings and efficiency, including thermal recovery and nutrient recovery.
Digitalization plays a pivotal role in the project. Numerous sensors are distributed across a section of the land, gathering data essential for monitoring various environmental, soil, and air parameters. This aids in optimizing the usage of water and nutrients.
Central to the management strategy that merges technology and digitalization is the application of artificial intelligence techniques, culminating in a platform known as Adam & Eva. This platform is designed for the control and management of energy and natural resources, as well as the agricultural and industrial production process. They elaborate:
“The platform functions with a system of self-adaptive algorithms (machine learning) and comprises two components that operate in concert. The EVA module collects consumption data and process measurements from the field and, via a cloud platform, presents them in real-time to the user. This enables continuous monitoring of resource flow and trends through graphics and tables. The acquired information is then relayed to the ADAM module, which processes the data from Eva and formulates the necessary actions to maximize yields and minimize the consumption of natural resources.”
Efforts are underway to develop a blockchain-based system to certify the stages of these processes. This system aims to verify various steps, from the traceability of the agricultural product to the transparency of the production process’s sustainability.
From Regenerative Agriculture to Smart Land: The Future Passes Through Here
In addition to the harmonious combination of land, regenerative agriculture, and technology, efforts are being made towards the concept of smart land. This concept is founded on a holistic vision that seeks to amalgamate agriculture, industry, cities, utilities, and territory.
The aim is to create a framework for the valorization of each component and to define a model that captures the advantages of each element.
The goal is to forge a replicable model, based on circularity, technology, and environmental consciousness, characterized by resilience, efficiency, sustainability, and both human and artificial intelligence.
“The future involves finding a balance between territories (inclusive of nature), human activities, and communities. It is crucial to implement the principles embedded in the European taxonomy,”
emphasize the two managers, referring to the taxonomy itself.
This taxonomy is a common European classification of environmentally sustainable economic activities, intended as a tool to guide investors’ and companies’ decisions towards a transition to environmentally benign economic growth, particularly in relation to climate. The activities are selected based on their potential to mitigate climate change, foster adequate adaptation, sustainably use and protect environmental resources, transition towards a circular economy, prevent and reduce pollution and emissions, and protect biodiversity and ecosystem health.
The collective future hinges on the ability to achieve demanding goals that are widely recognized: from not exceeding a 1.5 °C temperature increase, which involves reducing climate-altering emissions and clean energy production, to implementing a sustainable agricultural model and fostering more sustainable common living conditions. The smart land model can play a pivotal role in achieving these objectives.