Strategies of Sustainable Bioeconomy in the Industry 4.0 Framework for Inclusive and Social Prosperity

Background: A History Of Revolution, Emergence Of Industry 4.0, And The Agricultural Sector

History reveals seven critical transitions of humankind. Three of these transitions focus on agriculture and the volume of food production. Four of the transitions are industrial, focusing on mechanization. First, the Neolithic revolution (or the first agricultural revolution) is a basic and critical revolution that changed humankind from hunter-gatherers to a farming society. About 14,000 years ago, humankind domesticated plants like wheat, barley, peas, and livestock. The Neolithic revolution increased life expectancy and improved human life by establishing cities with more food. These developments promoted new work, jobs, merchandising, and trade. Specializations introduced skilled professions. Society became more complex, requiring new rules. This need brought about an authoritative government.

After 15,000 years, humankind witnessed the second agricultural revolution, which coincided with the industrial revolution. Between the 17^th century and the green revolution of the 1940s, farmers became more capable. They increased productivity with ideas like selective breeding, crop rotation, and fertilizers. The industrial revolution also brought farm machines and tools, increasing productivity and production in a short amount of time. Demographics changed as farmers replaced machines with workers. More food affected the rapid growth of cities as people stopped producing food for self-consumption. These changes in society and production promoted the industrial revolution.

The third revolution, termed the green revolution, affected the life of humankind. Genetically engineered crops and/or genetically modified organisms opened a new stage in agriculture and the economic sector. The yield of wheat increased fourfold in 25 years; many countries became self-sufficient. The green revolution satisfied an increasing demand of food due to the increasing population of a healthier society.

The three agricultural revolutions increased the quantity of food and promoted the industrial revolution, the key driver of modern society’s way of life. In the middle of the 18^th century, the economic system changed radically with the invention of James Watt’s steam machine. The system moved from an agrarian economy to an industrial economy. New tools and/or machines enabled large-scale production using new materials. Factories grew as labor became more important. Transportation, communication, and steam-powered machines and vehicles were also key to the first industrial revolution. The growth of agricultural and industrial production was a new source of wealth. Increasing productivity promoted international trade and national prosperity.