Mapping research frontiers in gender and sustainability in agricultural development: a bibliometric review

Gender and sustainability are crucial in agriculture, which remains a significant source of global employment. However, urbanization, industrialization, and technological advancements have reshaped the sector, impacting labor dynamics and gender roles. Traditional agricultural labor faces challenges due to low wages, physically demanding tasks, and unfavorable working conditions. Addressing gender disparities and promoting inclusive work environments is essential for achieving sustainability. According to the ILO (International Labour Office) decent work encompasses productivity and equal employment opportunities for both genders. This study aims to review the literature on gender, sustainability and agricultural development using a bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed articles. The findings identify five main research domains: gender dynamics and roles, agriculture and climate change, sustainability and development, human and labor dynamics, and environmental and technological aspects. Additionally, four key scientific communities led the research: Gender studies, agricultural economics, environmental management, and rural sociology. Emerging research trends focus on gender roles in sustainable farming, environmental innovation, and labor governance in agriculture. Spain, the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada lead in knowledge production, contributing significantly to these research domains. This review highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to address the complex issues of gender and sustainability in agriculture. It also specifies a target for expectations research, highlighting that the ILO’s definition of appropriate employment can guide efforts to improve gender equity and labor conditions, ultimately supporting sustainable development in the agricultural sector.