Ecossistemas de inovação e Agricultura 4.0: caminhos para a sustentabilidade socioeconômica no Vale do São Francisco

The advancement of Agriculture 4.0 has significantly transformed production systems worldwide, introducing digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, remote sensing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) as strategic tools to enhance efficiency, traceability, and sustainability in agricultural processes. In Brazil, this trend has gained particular relevance in the São Francisco Valley, a region consolidated as a hub for irrigated agriculture, especially fruit farming for export. However, despite the potential for innovation and modernization, challenges remain regarding the socio-economic inclusion of small farmers, the democratization of access to technology, and the reconciliation of technological innovation with agroecological practices. This article analyzes, in light of the literature on innovation ecosystems and territorial development, the opportunities and limitations of Agriculture 4.0 in the São Francisco Valley, considering the role of universities, research centers, the State, private companies, and civil society in shaping collaborative institutional arrangements. The methodological approach is qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive, supported by bibliographic and documentary review, in addition to applied studies in the Brazilian Semi-arid region. The results discuss how agricultural digitalization can contribute to productivity gains, environmental sustainability, and value generation in global supply chains, while emphasizing the need to promote social inclusion and territorial justice. It is argued that only through the consolidation of strong and integrated innovation ecosystems will it be possible to transform the São Francisco Valley into a living laboratory of Agriculture 4.0, combining technological efficiency with socio-economic sustainability.