The rice fields

Rice cultivation in the Po Delta dates back to the 1400s, although large-scale, organized production only developed in the 16th century, thanks to the Este family, who successfully utilized the marshy lands

The first documented references to rice date back to two letters from Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza in 1475. Meanwhile, in Ludovico Muratori’s “Diario Ferrarese”, it is noted that in 1495, rice was sold in Ferrara for only "four penny per pound"—a clear indication of the significance of local production at the time. This suggests that rice was systematically cultivated in the territories governed by the Este family, including the entire Polesino di Rovigo.

Rice finds an ideal environment in this region, as it is the only viable crop in permanently semi-submerged lands, requiring precise hydraulic management of the terrain. Additionally, the alluvial soils of the Po Delta, formed by the river’s terminal sediments, are exceptionally fertile, rich in minerals—especially potassium. This natural abundance makes the use of fertilizers, both potassium-based and nitrogen-based, unnecessary

Currently, the rice paddies of the Po Delta cover about 9,000 hectares of land, where Superfino rice is mainly cultivated, in the Carnaroli, Volano, Baldo, Vialone nano and Arborio varieties. Their grains are naturally healthy and rich in flavour, thanks to the climate mitigated by proximity to the sea and frequent breezes.

In the Delta area, rice is mainly used for the preparation of risottos with fish and shellfish. In particular, risotto with eels is a speciality of Comacchio.
The production area includes a large part of the Ferrarese Delta lands, up to the borders of the Ravenna area. In particular, the “water triangle” between Jolanda di Savoia, Massafiscaglia and Codigoro.

Companies have also specialised in the production of seed rice, as the purity prizes awarded by the Ente Risi to many local producers attest each year.