Rete Semi Rurali ETS

What Rete Semi Rurali ETS does

Rete Semi Rurali ETS (RSR) is a second-level Italian non-profit association founded in 2007 and headquartered in Scandicci, Italy, that promotes the dynamic and collective management of agricultural biodiversity for the agroecological transition of Italian agriculture. The organization operates as a national network with 30+ member associations including AIAB, Simenza, and various seed saver networks, coordinating activities across regional offices in Emilia-Romagna (Modena), Lombardy (Villasanta), and Veneto (Isola Vicentina). RSR's core activities center on participatory plant breeding, community seed conservation through Case delle Sementi (Seed Houses), and the development of heterogeneous biological mixtures (MEB) for organic farming, with documented engagement of 200+ rice farmers and 7 farms in the Riso Resiliente project covering 132 registered rice varieties.

RSR's technology and product portfolio includes the DIVERSITAS digital ecosystem for agrobiodiversity management, the BOX Breed4Bio tool for organic breeding activities, SeedLinked for participatory variety trials, a comprehensive seed database (Banca Dati), and the Edizioni Semirurali publishing house. The organization employs participatory and evolutionary breeding methods, genotype x environment interaction analysis, and dynamic conservation techniques rather than proprietary software platforms. Core technical capabilities include the development of heterogeneous rice mixtures (20 'lunghi B', 14 'Medi', and 8 'Tondi' varieties) and community seed bank management for in-situ conservation.

RSR's business model is project-based, funded primarily through European Commission research grants (LIVESEED, ProEcoRice, CEREA+ CONNECT, CAPSELLA, ECPGR LINKAGES), national government contracts (RGV/FAO with the Italian Ministry of Agricultural Policies), and private foundation grants (Fondazione Cariplo for Riso Resiliente, Fondazione Salvia for RSR-sustain). The organization also receives membership contributions from its 30+ member associations and accepts 5x1000 donations. As a non-profit, RSR does not sell commercial products. The organization is led by Technical Director Riccardo Bocci and supported by a 14-person staff of project coordinators, researchers, and communications specialists. RSR actively participates in European networks including the European Consortium for Organic Plant Breeding (ECO PB), European Coordination Let's Liberate Diversity (ECLLD), and the Global Coalition of Open Source Seed Initiatives (GOSSI).

Name

Rete Semi Rurali ETS

Legal name

Rete Semi Rurali ETS

Website

https://rsr.bio

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rete Semi Rurali ETS is an Italian non-profit association founded in 2007 that coordinates a national network of 30+ member organizations to promote participatory plant breeding, community seed conservation, and agrobiodiversity management for organic and agroecological farmers across Italy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural biodiversity conservation

NAICS

Support Activities for Crop Production (11511)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Soil Health & Regenerative Agronomy Consulting (AFACABAA), Regenerative Agriculture (Soil Carbon, Cover Crops, Reduced/No-Till) (AFAGAMAA), Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO)

Keywords

• Agricultural biodiversity
• Participatory plant breeding
• Seed conservation
• Agrobiodiversity network
• Organic variety trials

Headquarters

HQ city

Scandicci

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Project-based funding: RSR operates primarily through European, national, and private foundation project funding. Projects include CEREA + CONNECT, Liveseeding, ProEcoRice, and Riso Resiliente (funded by Fondazione Cariplo)
2. Membership contributions: As a second-level association (associazione di secondo livello), RSR receives membership fees and contributions from its member organizations
3. Institutional partnerships: Collaboration with public institutions including the Italian Ministry of Agricultural Policies (Ministero delle Politiche Agricole) for projects like Risorse Genetiche Vegetali (RGV)/FAO

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rete Semi Rurali ETS is a second-level non-profit association founded in 2007 that promotes the dynamic and collective management of agricultural biodiversity for agroecological transition in Italy. It coordinates member organizations around participatory plant breeding, seed conservation, and agrobiodiversity projects, while operating digital tools (DIVERSITAS, BOX Breed4Bio, Banca Dati), a network of regional Seed Houses (Case delle Sementi), and a publishing arm (Edizioni Semirurali).

Product overview

Rete Semi Rurali ETS is a second-level non-profit association promoting dynamic and collective management of agricultural biodiversity for agroecological transition. The organization offers a digital ecosystem (DIVERSITAS) alongside community seed houses (Case delle Sementi), seed databases, publications (Notiziari and Edizioni Semirurali), and specialized tools like BOX Breed4Bio for organic breeding and SeedLinked for participatory variety trials. Their portfolio supports participatory plant breeding, agrobiodiversity conservation, and sustainable agricultural systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Edizioni Semirurali: Publishing house of Rete Semi Rurali ETS producing books and educational materials on agrobiodiversity, seeds, and sustainable agriculture.

Products and services

• DIVERSITAS Digital ecosystem and platform maintained by RSR to support agrobiodiversity management, participatory breeding workflows, and information sharing among member organizations and farmers.
• BOX Breed4Bio Standalone tool developed by RSR to support breeders working on participatory organic variety trials, providing methodological resources and breeding guidance.
• Banca Dati (Seed Database) Centralized database of seed varieties managed by RSR, providing documented access to the genetic resources conserved across the regional Seed Houses for member organizations and researchers.
• Case delle Sementi (Seed Houses) Network of physical regional seed conservation and exchange facilities operated by RSR across Italy, enabling local storage, multiplication, and exchange of varieties among member organizations and farmers.
• Edizioni Semirurali Publishing arm of RSR that produces books, reports, and educational resources on agrobiodiversity, seed conservation, and agroecology for the broader public and member network.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ rice farmers engaged in participatory research through Riso Resiliente project
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• AIAB (Associazione Italiana Agricoltura Biologica)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIAB is a key member association hosting RSR's Emilia-Romagna regional office. Long-standing collaboration on organic agriculture promotion, research projects, and policy advocacy for agricultural biodiversity.
• Simenza - Cumpagnìa Siciliana Sementi ContadinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Sicilian member association representing 197 members including 140 farmers. Focuses on safeguarding and enhancing Sicilian agrobiodiversity with significant presence in cereal sector.
• European Consortium for Organic Plant Breeding (ECO PB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network focused on organic plant breeding. RSR participates as part of Italian coordination, contributing to development of varieties suited to organic systems.
• European Coordination Let's Liberate Diversity (ECLLD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network for dynamic management of agrobiodiversity on farms and gardens. RSR contributes Italian perspective and participates in network activities.
• Global Coalition of Open Source Seed Initiatives (GOSSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational coalition for open source seeds. RSR participates in global efforts for seed sovereignty and farmer rights.
• Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e ForestalicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian Ministry of Agricultural Policies. RSR coordinates the Risorse Genetiche Vegetali (RGV)/FAO project with the Ministry, focusing on genetic resource conservation.
• Biodistretto del Riso PiemontesecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal rice district in Piedmont collaborating with RSR on participatory breeding of Heterogeneous Biological Mixtures (MEB) using IRRI genetic material.
• IRRI (International Rice Research Institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSource of rice genetic material used in RSR's participatory breeding programs for developing heterogeneous biological mixtures.
• Università di Catania - Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e AmbientemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for rice cultivation research, including collaboration on reintroduction of rice in Sicily with Prof. Luciano Cosentino.
• Various European Research Partners (LIVESEED, ProEcoRice, CEREA+)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-partner European projects including LIVESEED (organic seed research), ProEcoRice (low-impact rice systems), and CEREA+ CONNECT (cereal biodiversity).
• Bioversity InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research organization on agricultural biodiversity. Staff member Livia Ortolani worked with Bioversity on participatory breeding and genetic resource access issues.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Seed Savers Exchange: US-based non-profit focused on preserving and sharing heirloom seeds through member networks and community seed exchange. Highly comparable in mission (seed conservation, biodiversity, farmer/member engagement) though operating in a different regulatory and market context.
• GRAIN: International non-profit supporting small farmers and social movements in their struggles for community-controlled and biodiversity-based food systems. Highly comparable in advocacy for seed sovereignty and opposition to corporate seed patenting.
• European Consortium for Organic Plant Breeding (ECO PB): Pan-European network RSR directly participates in, focused on developing organic plant breeding varieties. ECO PB operates at a wider geographic scope with similar participatory breeding methodology, making it a direct peer in the European organic plant breeding ecosystem.
• ProSpecieRara: Swiss foundation dedicated to preserving rare and endangered plant breeds and varieties. Comparable as a heritage breed/seed conservation organization with similar network-based member structure and focus on agrobiodiversity for sustainable agriculture.
• Réseau Semences Paysannes: French national network for peasant seeds and agrobiodiversity, structurally analogous to RSR as a farmer-led seed sovereignty organization. Directly comparable in mission (collective management of agricultural biodiversity), participatory breeding approach, and second-level association model.
• AIAB (Italian Association for Organic Agriculture): Italy's main organic agriculture association and a key RSR member/partner that hosts RSR's Emilia-Romagna regional office. Closely comparable as a national umbrella for organic farming and agricultural biodiversity advocacy in Italy.
• European Coordination Let's Liberate Diversity (ECLLD): European coordination network for dynamic management of agrobiodiversity on farms and gardens. RSR is an active participant and provides the Italian perspective; highly comparable in mission, governance, and operational model.

Broad incumbents

• Bioversity International (Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT): Major international research organization on agricultural biodiversity with which RSR has collaborated (RSR staff worked with Bioversity in Latin America). Comparable in agrobiodiversity research focus but operates at much larger scale as a CGIAR-affiliated institution.

Emerging players

• Navdanya: India-based network founded by Vandana Shiva promoting seed saving, organic farming, and biodiversity. Comparable in seed sovereignty advocacy and biodiversity conservation mission, though serving a different geographic and agricultural context.
• Heritage Seed Library (Garden Organic): UK-based seed conservation initiative maintaining heritage vegetable varieties through a membership model. Comparable in community seed conservation approach and member-supported operations, though narrower in crop scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/retesemi
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ReteSemiRurali
• Facebookfacebook.com/semirurali
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/semirurali
• Instagraminstagram.com/semirurali

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Rete Semi Rurali ETS