Bibliometric analysis of scientific research about agroecological strategies

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the spatio-temporal evolution of scientific research on the subject of agroecological strategies worldwide, through text mining (bibliometrics) and co-authorship networks to determine gaps in research.

Design/methodology/approach: For the compilation of the texts, the database of articles from open access journals of the Web of Science was reviewed. The texts were collected in September 2021, and the texts available until August 2021 were considered. The keyword used in the search was strategies agroecological, identifying it in the titles and keywords of the publications.

Results: 463 scientific texts were collected in the bibliographic reference databases of the Web of Science with a temporality from 1987 to 2021. 90.93% (421) were concentrated in six countries: USA (34.77%, 161), Netherlands (19.22%, 89), England (15.55%, 72), Switzerland (12.53%, 58), France (4.54%, 21) and Germany (4.32%, 20).

Limitations on study/implications: Most of the research has focused on techniques for agricultural sustainability, so issues associated with the creation of early climate information systems, disaster prevention and mitigation projects, present themselves as opportunities for the development of further research.

Findings/conclusions: It was observed that in developing countries such as Latin America, where Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Brazil are located, there is little research conducted on the subject of agroecological strategies, which represents a great opportunity to generate knowledge in the region.