In some areas of west Veneto and Lombardy, especially since the end of the fifteenth century, an innovative water control system, along with massive investments of lively urban landowners, determined far-reaching economic and social transformations. These huge changes were due to the widespreading of irrigated fields and the introduction of rice growing. This essay analyzes the results of two researches which focused their attention on these themes. They are: Uomini, terre e acque. Studi sull’agricoltura della “Bassa lombarda” tra XV e XVIII secolo (Men, lands and water. Studies on agriculture in the low lands of Lombardy between 15th and 18th centuries) (Milan 2012) by E. Roveda and La risicoltura veronese (XVI-XX sec.) (The Veronese rice growing. 16th-20th centuries) by B. Chiappa (Verona 2012).
Keywords: Po valley plain, Rice growing, Water administration, Lombardy, West Veneto, Sixteenth century