The land is not inherited.
It is earned every single day.
The land is not inherited.
It is earned every single day.
Identity, memory, continuity
A WOMEN-LED BUSINESS, STRONG AND FORWARD-THINKING
Our story begins in the rice fields of Lomellina, where the land has always been part of the family.
It is more than work: it is identity, memory, and continuity.
Stefania Buffa Riso is a women-led company, solid and forward-looking, committed to combining tradition, innovation, and technology to ensure premium-quality paddy rice supplies year after year, despite increasingly challenging climate conditions.
THE UNION OF SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
With deep roots in the territory and a modern approach to cultivation, we combine technical and scientific expertise with advanced technologies and sustainable practices to ensure outstanding productivity per hectare and exceptional quality.
Constantly evolving and expanding, our company has become a benchmark for reliability and innovation, responding efficiently to the challenges of an ever-changing global market.
Identity,
memory,
continuity
A WOMEN-LED BUSINESS, STRONG AND FORWARD-THINKING
Our story begins in the rice fields of Lomellina, where the land has always been part of the family.
It is more than work: it is identity, memory, and continuity.
Stefania Buffa Riso is a women-led company, solid and forward-looking, committed to combining tradition, innovation, and technology to ensure premium-quality paddy rice supplies year after year, despite increasingly challenging climate conditions.
THE UNION OF SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
With deep roots in the territory and a modern approach to cultivation, we combine technical and scientific expertise with advanced technologies and sustainable practices to ensure outstanding productivity per hectare and exceptional quality.
Constantly evolving and expanding, our company has become a benchmark for reliability and innovation, responding efficiently to the challenges of an ever-changing global market.
A story rooted in the past
years of experience
F rom grandmother Renza, who worked as a mondina for most of her life, to the growth of the Buffa-Ridone farm, every step has been built through determination and sacrifice.
Even in the most difficult moments, the land remained a constant presence — part of the Buffa-Ridone family, always.
A generous and fertile land that shaped the lives of three generations, with women playing a central role throughout this story.
It all began with Renza, born in 1933, who worked in the rice fields until the age of 80. Her daughter, Rosella Ridone, met Pierantonio Buffa in 1976, and in 1982 they married, uniting not only their lives but also their shared passion for the land and for rice.
This marked the birth of Azienda Agricola Buffa. Starting in 1988, the company abandoned livestock farming to focus exclusively on rice cultivation.
Despite enormous challenges — including a severe road accident in 1992 that left Pierantonio quadriplegic — the business continued to grow successfully, driven by resilience and an innovative vision.
The Ridone-Buffa family became among the first in Lomellina to access ISMEA funding in the early 2000s. Over time, they acquired more land, increased production, and transformed the farm into one of the largest rice-growing businesses in the region.
Growing with the land
G rowing with the land means learning how to observe it, understand it, and respect it.
Our way of working was born from this relationship.
Today, the farm spans 370 hectares — almost entirely connected land, compared to the original 60 hectares — and is led by Stefania Buffa, the youngest daughter of Rosella and Pierantonio.
She transformed the family legacy into a modern agricultural enterprise with an advanced technological approach.
A story rooted in the past
years of experience
F rom grandmother Renza, who worked as a mondina for most of her life, to the growth of the Buffa-Ridone farm, every step has been built through determination and sacrifice.
Even in the most difficult moments, the land remained a constant presence — part of the Buffa-Ridone family, always.
A generous and fertile land that shaped the lives of three generations, with women playing a central role throughout this story.
It all began with Renza, born in 1933, who worked in the rice fields until the age of 80. Her daughter, Rosella Ridone, met Pierantonio Buffa in 1976, and in 1982 they married, uniting not only their lives but also their shared passion for the land and for rice.
This marked the birth of Azienda Agricola Buffa. Starting in 1988, the company abandoned livestock farming to focus exclusively on rice cultivation.
Despite enormous challenges — including a severe road accident in 1992 that left Pierantonio quadriplegic — the business continued to grow successfully, driven by resilience and an innovative vision.
The Ridone-Buffa family became among the first in Lomellina to access ISMEA funding in the early 2000s. Over time, they acquired more land, increased production, and transformed the farm into one of the largest rice-growing businesses in the region.
Growing with the land
G rowing with the land means learning how to observe it, understand it, and respect it.
Our way of working was born from this relationship.
Today, the farm spans 370 hectares — almost entirely connected land, compared to the original 60 hectares — and is led by Stefania Buffa, the youngest daughter of Rosella and Pierantonio.
She transformed the family legacy into a modern agricultural enterprise with an advanced technological approach.
Stefania Buffa
Agronomist and entrepreneur, Stefania combines scientific education, international experience, and managerial expertise.
Her vision blends tradition and innovation, guiding the company toward a more advanced and sustainable agricultural model.
Since early childhood, rice has been part of her life.
After her father’s accident, she was raised by her grandmother Renza from the age of six months, growing up immersed in the rice fields — a true “Heidi of the paddies.”
Renza would take her to the fields by bicycle, and at just nine years old Stefania built her very first 1x1 meter rice paddy.
Her academic path naturally led her to the Faculty of Crop Production at the University of Milan. During her studies, she traveled to Texas, where she visited large-scale farms and discovered technologies that would only arrive in Italy years later.
In 2015, she completed her thesis research in Lausanne at a Syngenta research center. In 2016, she graduated and passed the national state exam, officially becoming a certified Agronomist.
In 2018, she received a scholarship for SDA Bocconi’s Master in Agribusiness Management.
Then, in 2019, Stefania took full leadership of the family business, which today proudly bears her name.
In 2025, she completed her Master’s Degree with a double degree in Crop Protection, presenting an LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) thesis focused on rice production.
In the little free time she has, Stefania also volunteers as an emergency responder for Croce Azzurra Robbiese emergency services.
"What my grandparents and my parents left me is an incredible work ethic and an endless passion for the land. My father used to say he had rice in his DNA, and my grandmother Renza would say that in her fields she was ‘a wealthy lady.’
From her, I learned that ‘la tera l’è basa’ — the land is low and the sky is high, so we are forced to bend down and look closely in order to truly understand it.
The land keeps us grounded and humble, yet it gives us so much. And above all, when you sit on the ground, you see everything from a completely different perspective — a perspective many people today have lost.
That is why I chose to continue this journey with strength and determination, even after my father passed away. Because I believe in the potential of the land, in its strength and in its value — values that give strength and purpose to me as well.
My mission is to help my rice and my land grow bigger and stronger every day."
Stefania Buffa
Stefania Buffa
Agronomist and entrepreneur, Stefania combines scientific education, international experience, and managerial expertise.
Her vision blends tradition and innovation, guiding the company toward a more advanced and sustainable agricultural model.
Since early childhood, rice has been part of her life.
After her father’s accident, she was raised by her grandmother Renza from the age of six months, growing up immersed in the rice fields — a true “Heidi of the paddies.”
Renza would take her to the fields by bicycle, and at just nine years old Stefania built her very first 1x1 meter rice paddy.
Her academic path naturally led her to the Faculty of Crop Production at the University of Milan. During her studies, she traveled to Texas, where she visited large-scale farms and discovered technologies that would only arrive in Italy years later.
In 2015, she completed her thesis research in Lausanne at a Syngenta research center. In 2016, she graduated and passed the national state exam, officially becoming a certified Agronomist.
In 2018, she received a scholarship for SDA Bocconi’s Master in Agribusiness Management.
Then, in 2019, Stefania took full leadership of the family business, which today proudly bears her name.
In 2025, she completed her Master’s Degree with a double degree in Crop Protection, presenting an LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) thesis focused on rice production.
In the little free time she has, Stefania also volunteers as an emergency responder for Croce Azzurra Robbiese emergency services.
“What my grandparents and my parents left me is an incredible work ethic and an endless passion for the land.
My father used to say he had rice in his DNA, and my grandmother Renza would say that in her fields she was ‘a wealthy lady.’
From her, I learned that ‘la tera l’è basa’ — the land is low and the sky is high, so we are forced to bend down and look closely in order to truly understand it.
The land keeps us grounded and humble, yet it gives us so much. And above all, when you sit on the ground, you see everything from a completely different perspective — a perspective many people today have lost.
That is why I chose to continue this journey with strength and determination, even after my father passed away. Because I believe in the potential of the land, in its strength and in its value — values that give strength and purpose to me as well.
My mission is to help my rice and my land grow bigger and stronger every day.”
Beyond the harvest, a clear direction.
Beyond the harvest, a clear direction.
Mission
To become one of the largest companies in the area and a point of reference for rice cultivation and to guarantee supplies even in adverse situations.
Vision
To be increasingly dedicated to traditional and new crops, investing in people and research to achieve a higher quality product even on large-scale crops.
Mission
To become one of the largest companies in the area and a point of reference for rice cultivation and to guarantee supplies even in adverse situations.
Vision
To be increasingly dedicated to traditional and new crops, investing in people and research to achieve a higher quality product even on large-scale crops.
Our values
They are the foundation of every relationship, inside and outside the company, built over time, through work and consistency.
HONESTY, SOLIDITY AND ECONOMIC FAIR PLAY
With our 370 hectares, we are a solid and large company, recognized throughout the region for the good reputation we've earned over 50 years of honest work. We are what is considered a "respectable" company. We pursue sound financial management to support all our values (innovation, development, people, new projects, ...).
KNOW-HOW AND KNOW-HOW TO EXPERIMENT
Always innovative! In terms of ideas, attitude, culture, and approach to the world and everyday life.
We are modern in spirit, practices, and equipment, and we love combining tradition and experience with cutting-edge technologies to grow ever-better rice.
A continuous choice to improve and grow.
RESPECT FOR CROPS, WORK AND PEOPLE
"La tera l'è basa!".
The land forces us to look down and remain humble, to respect it, and in return it rewards us with its generous and precious harvests.
Respect for the land and the people who love it is an essential value for us.
RELIABILITY, EFFICIENCY, PRODUCTIVITY
Ensuring continuity is our daily commitment. We are ready and responsive to any issue to ensure abundant, superior-quality supplies every year, despite increasingly frequent adverse weather conditions.
The efficiency and preparation of an experienced team that, with passion and expertise, manages to repeat and improve productivity per hectare, season after season.
Our values
They are the foundation of every relationship, inside and outside the company, built over time, through work and consistency.
HONESTY, SOLIDITY AND ECONOMIC FAIR PLAY
With our 370 hectares, we are a solid and large company, recognized throughout the region for the good reputation we've earned over 50 years of honest work. We are what is considered a "respectable" company. We pursue sound financial management to support all our values (innovation, development, people, new projects, ...).
KNOW-HOW AND KNOW-HOW TO EXPERIMENT
Always innovative! In terms of ideas, attitude, culture, and approach to the world and everyday life.
We are modern in spirit, practices, and equipment, and we love combining tradition and experience with cutting-edge technologies to grow ever-better rice.
A continuous choice to improve and grow.
RESPECT FOR CROPS, WORK AND PEOPLE
"La tera l'è basa!".
The land forces us to look down and remain humble, to respect it, and in return it rewards us with its generous and precious harvests.
Respect for the land and the people who love it is an essential value for us.
RELIABILITY, EFFICIENCY, PRODUCTIVITY
Ensuring continuity is our daily commitment. We are ready and responsive to any issue to ensure abundant, superior-quality supplies every year, despite increasingly frequent adverse weather conditions.
The efficiency and preparation of an experienced team that, with passion and expertise, manages to repeat and improve productivity per hectare, season after season.
"La tera l'è basa"
A principle that reminds us every day where we start from.