Social expectations for Agriculture 4.0. Evidence from Living Labs in the Mediterranean greenhouse sector

Agriculture 4.0 technologies, including digital tools, e.g., the Internet of Things and Cloud Computing, promise significant environmental and economic benefits for intensive farming systems like greenhouses. However, their social impacts remain controversial and relatively underexplored compared to environmental and economic impacts. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by providing empirical evidence on actor expectations for the social impacts of Agriculture 4.0 technologies, specifically through the adoption of a decision support system in greenhouse farming. Using a qualitative assessment framework, the study explores the relevance and mechanisms of social impacts based on perspectives collected from four case studies in Almería (Spain), Antalya (Turkey), Monastir (Tunisia), and Tuscany (Italy). The findings reveal significant regional variations in the expected social outcomes of decision support system's adoption. While improvements in learning and skills, health, and wellbeing are anticipated, challenges remain in addressing gender gaps and the inclusion of vulnerable groups. The study underscores the importance of tailoring Agriculture 4.0 interventions to local socio-economic and political contexts to maximise their benefits. It also highlights the need for continuous training, skill enhancement, and holistic societal interventions to ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners aiming to leverage digital agriculture for social sustainability.