Cultivating Circularity: Harnessing Industry 4.0 and Stakeholder Engagement for a Sustainable Agrifood Future in Brazil

ABSTRACT This study analyzed Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technology applications in agribusiness and the role of strategic stakeholders, engagement methods, and other critical aspects data sharing, confidentiality, integrity, decision‐making, and sector‐specific requirements in promoting circularity. By employing a qualitative research design, it involved start‐ups included in the Circular Startup Index developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Results show that I4.0 technologies can be integrated into circular agribusiness models to optimize circular processes, such as waste‐to‐resource conversion (for example, biodegradable seedling containers and waste management platforms). However, blockchain adoption remains limited, highlighting a gap in scalable traceability solutions. The use of drones, LiDAR, and AI‐based platforms (e.g., Flash Diagnostics) demonstrates a pioneering approach to reducing biomass assessment time, improving decision‐making in regenerative agriculture. The study maps a broad spectrum of stakeholders and their engagement methods. This diversity highlights the need for personalized engagement to align economic, social, and environmental goals among stakeholders. A notable positive finding is improved transparency, with real‐time, auditable data sharing fostering trust and encouraging stakeholder participation. This study offers unique insights into the application of I4.0 technologies in the Brazilian agrifood sector.