Bibliometric analysis of agroforestry practices and research trends among smallholder farmers in the context of climate change

Despite the crucial role of agroforestry in climate action, there has been limited systematic focus on the adoption of agroforestry by smallholder farmers. This bibliometric analysis explored smallholder engagement with agroforestry as a climate adaptation and mitigation strategy by analyzing 455 peer-reviewed articles (2014–2023) from the Crossref database. Using VOSviewer and Excel, we evaluated the publication trends, citations, and keyword cooccurrences. The findings reveal a surge in academic interest peaking in 2021, emphasizing concepts such as carbon sequestration and climate-smart agriculture. Three main thematic clusters emerged: (1) climate-smart agriculture and carbon storage, (2) biodiversity and ecosystem services, and (3) socioeconomic adaptation and resilience. Empirically, practices such as alley cropping and multistrata home gardens dominate, particularly in tropical regions (Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa). Despite growing research, critical gaps persist in the economic, geographic, and social dimensions, specifically poverty, gender, and spatial inequality. This study underscores the need for policies that ensure secure land tenure, targeted training, carbon market access, and gender-inclusive approaches to scale up agroforestry and enhance long-term climate resilience.