Global trends and dynamics of water productivity in agriculture: a bibliometric analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v17i5.4109Keywords:
agricultural efficiency, global trends, water resourcesAbstract
Increasing irrigation water productivity (WP) is essential to address water scarcity and ensure agrifood sustainability, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. To this end, a bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on WP in agriculture was conducted. This research aimed to characterize global scientific output, global trends, the most influential actors, and the main lines of research in this field. A total of 3 833 documents published in Scopus between 1983 and 2024 were analyzed using bibliometric indicators. The results show exponential growth in scientific output since 2009. China, India and the United States of America account for 55% of global production. The most influential journal was Agricultural Water Management, with 776 publications, whereas China Agricultural University stood out as the institution with 181 publications and 7 058 citations. Thematic mapping identified five main clusters: agronomic strategies, sustainability and climate change, strategic crop management, agricultural modeling and ecophysiological bases. In short, water productivity has consolidated itself as a strategic axis of global agricultural research. This study offers a comprehensive view that can guide future research, drive agronomic innovation and strengthen policies for more efficient water management in agriculture.
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