Balancing bioenergy and food security through circular biomass utilization and fourth industrial revolution (4IR)-driven framework

The rising demand for renewable energy and sustainable agriculture has intensified pressures on food systems, particularly through competition for biomass resources. Despite growing interest in bioenergy, existing studies remain fragmented, with limited integration of agricultural waste valorization, food security metrics, and digital optimization strategies within a unified framework. This review synthesizes current knowledge on balancing food security and bioenergy production by prioritizing agricultural waste valorization and resource-efficient biomass management within a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)–enabled framework. Emphasis is placed on studies addressing resource efficiency, circular bioeconomy transitions, and the application of artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, robotics, and blockchain in biomass management. The analysis reveals that prioritizing agricultural residues over food-based feedstocks significantly reduces food system disruption while enhancing resource efficiency and environmental performance. Furthermore, digital technologies demonstrably improve biomass availability forecasting, logistics coordination, land-use optimization, and supply chain traceability, thereby strengthening system resilience and transparency. However, critical gaps persist in regulatory alignment, data governance, and the economic feasibility of deploying 4IR technologies in resource-constrained settings. To address these challenges, a multilayer 4IR-enabled framework is proposed, integrating data acquisition, predictive analytics, optimization, and governance for sustainable biomass utilization. The findings highlight that strategic alignment of waste valorization and digital innovation can support circular bioeconomy transitions and climate-resilient food systems. This work provides actionable insights for policymakers and researchers to advance sustainable food security, resource efficiency, and inclusive green growth, particularly in emerging economies.