Bibliometric and content analysis of research trends in climate change, climate-smart agriculture, and food security nexus from 2012 to 2026

Abstract

Climate change increasingly threatens agricultural productivity and food security, particularly in climate-vulnerable developing regions. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has been promoted as a strategy to improve productivity, strengthen adaptation, and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions; however, the research landscape connecting climate change, CSA, and food security remains fragmented. This study maps the scientific literature on this nexus using bibliometric analysis and content analysis of using a total of 1105 Scopus-indexed documents published between 2012 and 19 March 2026. Biblioshiny and VOSviewer were used to analyze publication trends, leading sources, countries, institutions, influential documents, collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic development. Results show a rapid increase in publication volume, especially after 2021, although declining mean per year citation. Sustainability (Switzerland), Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Agricultural Systems, Discover Sustainability, and Advances in Global Change Research were among the most productive sources. Country co-authorship mapping indicates that international collaboration is concentrated among a limited number of countries, highlighting the need for stronger participation from highly vulnerable regions. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified six major thematic clusters: alternative agricultural practices and smallholder farmers resilience, food supply, sustainable agricultural development and agribusiness, greenhouse gases emission control through cultivation strategies, digital climate-smart agriculture and decision making, climate change, food security and adaptive management, and drought resilient crop production and water management. Emerging topics include precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, sustainable agriculture, and agribusiness. The findings provide a structured overview of current knowledge and suggest future research priorities for CSA adoption, food-system resilience, water-nutrient management, digital agriculture, and inclusive collaboration in climate-vulnerable regions.