Deafal - Agricoltura Organica e Rigenerativa

What Deafal - Agricoltura Organica e Rigenerativa does

Deafal ONG is an Italian third-sector non-profit association (ONG/ETS) founded in 2003 and headquartered in Milan that develops and disseminates the Agricoltura Organica e Rigenerativa (AOR) methodology — a theoretical-practical discipline synthesizing organic farming, regenerative agriculture, and agroecology principles drawn from Latin American and Anglo-Saxon traditions and adapted to Italian contexts. The organization delivers its offering through three primary channels: (1) training courses (Formazione) delivered in-person and via PSR regional rural development funding across multiple Italian regions (Lombardia, Toscana, Piemonte, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Lazio, Sicilia), (2) on-farm technical assistance (Assistenza Tecnica) for agricultural enterprises implementing AOR practices, and (3) international development and rural development projects. Core technical components of the AOR platform include cover cropping, minimum/no-till seeding, crop rotation planning, agroforestry systems, rotational grazing for livestock, on-farm self-production of inputs (amendments, corroborants, biostimulants), and — more recently through the 2023 CH4R project — biochar integration in anaerobic digestion and biochar-enriched organic amendments.

Deafal's business model is project-based and grant-driven, with revenue streams including regional PSR training program contracts, institutional project funding (including international cooperation work), 5x1000 Italian tax donations (fiscal code 13164890157), and fees from technical assistance services. The organization serves primarily small and medium Italian agricultural farms as its core segment, with secondary segments including small agricultural producers in developing countries via international cooperation projects, and schools/civil society engaged through Global Citizenship Education programs. It has trained over 4,500 farmers and actively supports approximately 200 farms. Its 2023-launched IESS project produced three web applications (iess.agricolturaorganica.org) providing digital guidance on poultry grazing in olive groves, on-farm composting for viticulture, and cover crop implementation, representing the organization's primary digital product surface.

The organization supplements its non-profit core with a registered AOR trademark (2018), two published books (a 2015 field manual and a 2019 title by Technical Coordinator Matteo Mancini), a "Difendi la Rigenerativa" advocacy campaign with 600+ supporting entities including FederBio, and a 2023 spin-off — the Associazione Nazionale Produttori per l'Agricoltura Organica e Rigenerativa — which provides producer representation and certification-side governance around AOR principles. Research partnerships with CNR, RE-CORD (University of Florence-affiliated research consortium), Marchesi Frescobaldi, and Ortobioattivo anchor its applied R&D work.

Name

Deafal - Agricoltura Organica e Rigenerativa

Legal name

Deafal ONG - Delegazione Europea per l'Agricoltura Familiare in Asia, Africa e America Latina ETS

Website

https://agricolturaorganica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Deafal is an Italian non-profit (ONG/ETS) founded in 2003 that develops and disseminates the Agricoltura Organica e Rigenerativa (AOR) methodology, delivering training, on-farm technical assistance, and rural development projects to small and medium Italian agricultural farms and international producers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regenerative Agriculture Services

NAICS

Farm Management Services (115116), Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112), Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Support Activities for Crop Production (1151)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFACABAA

Soil Health & Regenerative Agronomy Consulting

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Services (Custom Farming, Agronomy, Veterinary)/Crop Consulting & Agronomy Services (Soil Health, Nutrient Planning, Yield Consulting)

SECONDARYAFACABAL

Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Services (Custom Farming, Agronomy, Veterinary)/Crop Consulting & Agronomy Services (Soil Health, Nutrient Planning, Yield Consulting)

SECONDARYEDAOAOAA

Agricultural Production & Farm Operations

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Agriculture, Horticulture & Skilled Trades

SECONDARYEDABALAA

Agriculture & Food Production

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Industry-Specific Professional Training (e.g., Healthcare, Manufacturing, Construction)

SECONDARYAFACAJAE

Regulatory Compliance, Permitting & Audit Readiness (Food Safety, Environmental, Labor)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Services (Custom Farming, Agronomy, Veterinary)/Farm Management & Operational Advisory Services

Keywords

• Regenerative agriculture consulting
• Organic farming training
• Agricultural technical assistance
• Agroecology services
• Sustainable agriculture projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Project-Based Funding: Deafal operates primarily as a non-profit association (ONG/ETS) funded through international development projects, rural development programs (PSR), and institutional funding for agricultural, ecological, social, and economic initiatives.
2. 5x1000 Tax Donations: Italian taxpayer donations through the 5x1000 mechanism (tax designation) supporting Deafal's activities. Fiscal code: 13164890157.
3. Training Services: Revenue generated from agricultural training courses delivered to farmers, technicians, and enthusiasts, often through PSR (Programma di Sviluppo Rurale) regional funding programs.
4. Technical Assistance: On-farm technical assistance services to agricultural businesses implementing AOR practices.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Deafal delivers professional training courses, on-farm technical assistance, and project implementation services in Organic and Regenerative Agriculture (AOR) to Italian and international agricultural enterprises. It also publishes reference materials (books, field manuals, principles charter) and operates digital tools (IESS web applications) that translate AOR methodology into actionable farm-level protocols for soil regeneration, cover cropping, agroforestry, composting, and biochar use.

Product overview

Deafal's Agricoltura Organica e Rigenerativa (AOR) is a comprehensive platform focused on organic and regenerative agriculture practices, consisting of the main informational website, specialized project websites (IESS and CH4R), professional training courses, technical assistance services, and publications. The IESS project includes three web applications for personalized agroecological practice guidance, while the CH4R project focuses on biochar research and circular economy applications. The organization also supports the Associazione Produttori AOR, a producer certification and advocacy association launched in 2023.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CH4R: Project on biochar utilization for energy and agriculture - circular use of agricultural residues as bio-based amendments and fertilizers. Partners: RE-CORD, Frescobaldi, Ortobioattivo
• IESS
• Associazione Nazionale Produttori per l'Agricoltura Organica e Rigenerativa

Products and services

• Formazione - Training Courses in Organic and Regenerative Agriculture Professional training programs delivered to farmers, technicians, and enthusiasts covering AOR topics such as keyline design, agroforestry, cover crops, on-farm composting, and farm planning. Delivered through PSR (Programmi di Sviluppo Rurale) regional programs in Italian regions including Piedmont and Tuscany.
• Assistenza Tecnica - Technical Assistance for Agricultural Enterprises On-farm technical assistance and protocol-development service for agricultural companies implementing AOR practices, including soil health evaluation and farm-specific AOR implementation plans. Targeted at small and medium farms and at larger enterprises participating in IESS and CH4R projects.
• Progetti - Rural Development and International Cooperation Projects Implementation of funded rural development and international cooperation projects that translate the AOR methodology into local programs, including collaborations with CNR and PSR Toscana, the CH4R biochar project, and the IESS agroecology project.
• IESS Web Applications for Agroecological Practice Guidance Three web applications developed under the IESS project providing personalized guidance on innovative agroecological practices: Poultry Range Management in Olive Groves, On-farm Composting for Viticulture, and Cover Crop implementation for non-irrigated arable land. Targeted at Tuscan farms and similar enterprises.
• Il Nostro Libro - "Agricoltura Organica e Rigenerativa. Oltre il biologico" Book Reference book authored by Matteo Mancini and published by Terra Nuova, presenting the ideas, tools, and practices of AOR as a quality-oriented agriculture. Targeted at farmers, technicians, and broader audiences interested in going beyond organic.
• Associazione Nazionale Produttori per l'Agricoltura Organica e Rigenerativa National association of producers founded in April 2023 to protect, promote, certify, and represent farms practicing Organic and Regenerative Agriculture in line with the AOR principles and values charter.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4,500 farmers trained through AOR principles and practices
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• FederBiomajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2024National federation founded in 1992 representing the organic and biodynamic agriculture sector in Italy. FederBio joined the 'Difendi la Rigenerativa' campaign in April 2024, bringing the network to over 200 agricultural enterprises, associations, and companies supporting regenerative agriculture.
• RE-CORD (Consorzio RE-CORD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Research consortium specialized in renewable energy, biomass, and circular economy. Founded in 2010 as a non-profit research organization affiliated with the University of Florence. Partner in CH4R project for biochar optimization in anaerobic digestion and agriculture. Organismo di Ricerca ai sensi della normativa nazionale.
• Marchesi FrescobaldicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Agricultural company focused on viticulture, enology, olive growing, arable crops, pig and cattle farming, and 2500 hectares of forested areas. Comprises 11 local units. Partner in CH4R project, providing agricultural residues for biochar production and biogas/biomethane facilities.
• OrtobioattivocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Agricultural company founded in 2013, dedicated exclusively to horticultural production using the Ortobioattivo method developed by agronomist Andrea Battiata. Partner in CH4R project, implementing biochar-enriched experimental plots for lettuce and tomato production.
• CNR (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023National Research Council of Italy. Partner in IESS project quantifying economic, social, and environmental benefits of agroecological practices in Tuscan farms. Collaboration extends to PSR Tuscany projects and biochar research (PSR B-Wine project).
• Open ImpactminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partner in the IESS project focused on innovative agroecological actions for Economic, Social, and Sustainable Impact.
• Fattoria TribolicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Tuscan agricultural enterprise participating in IESS project, implementing avicultural grazing in olive groves as innovative agroecological practice.
• Fattoria Majnoni GuicciardinicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Tuscan agricultural enterprise participating in IESS project, implementing on-farm composting as innovative agroecological practice.
• Azienda Agricola PasserinicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Tuscan agricultural enterprise participating in IESS project, implementing cover crops for non-irrigated arable land as innovative agroecological practice.
• Università di CamerinominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Academic partner in the 'Agroecologia e Sostenibilità Ambientale in Lombardia' project (2011-2012), funded by Fondazione Cariplo.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Carbon Cycle Institute: Non-profit advancing carbon farming and regenerative soil health practices through technical assistance, training, and advocacy. Comparable as a soil-health-focused advisory and training organization serving farmers, with similar grant- and project-driven revenue model.
• FederBio: National federation of Italy's organic and biodynamic operators, coordinating certification and policy. Direct peer and partner; a more established industry body that could also absorb AOR principles into its broader certification portfolio.
• Kiss the Ground: US non-profit promoting regenerative agriculture through education, advocacy, and farmer training programs. Comparable as a regenerative-agriculture advocacy and training non-profit, though with a heavier media/awareness orientation.
• AIAB (Associazione Italiana per l'Agricoltura Biologica): Italian association for organic agriculture, providing certification, training, and policy advocacy. Direct domestic peer competing for the same Italian organic/regenerative training and certification market that Deafal addresses.

Broad incumbents

• Regeneration International: Global NGO network promoting regenerative agriculture practices and principles. Comparable as an advocacy and movement-building organization advancing regenerative-agriculture frameworks, though it operates globally and does not deliver hands-on farmer technical assistance at Deafal's depth.
• IFOAM - Organics International: World umbrella organization for organic agriculture movements, defining standards and principles globally. Comparable to Deafal in setting organic/regenerative principles and certifications, but at a global rather than country level.
• Rodale Institute: US-based non-profit research and education organization focused on regenerative organic agriculture. Directly comparable mission (research, training, farmer support, advocacy) with established methodology framework, though operating in North America.

Others

• Terra Nuova Edizioni: Italian publisher specializing in sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty, which published Deafal coordinator Mancini's 2019 AOR book. Adjacent ecosystem participant enabling knowledge distribution in regenerative agriculture.

Emerging players

• Soil Health Institute: Non-profit research institute focused on soil health measurement, adoption, and economics. Comparable in soil-health research and training mission, with stronger measurement/metrics emphasis than Deafal.
• Regenerative Organic Alliance: Alliance managing the Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) standard across farming, soil health, and social fairness. Comparable as a regenerative-agriculture standards body, with a more US-supply-chain oriented certification focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@deafal-agricolturaorganica
• Facebookfacebook.com/AgricolturaOrganicaeRigenerativa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deafal-agricoltura-organica-e-rigenerativa
• Instagraminstagram.com/deafal_aor

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Deafal - Agricoltura Organica e Rigenerativa