Unleashing the future prospects of agricultural entrepreneurship: a systematic literature review

Purpose This study aims to present a broad overview of agricultural entrepreneurship, highlighting the current trends and future trajectories. Design/methodology/approach The study conducts a systematic review of existing research on agricultural entrepreneurship, using the Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews (SLRs) protocol for SLRs and applying bibliometric analysis as the analytical method. The structured review was conducted on 236 articles extracted from the Scopus database, covering the timeframe from 2014 to 2024. Findings Research in agricultural entrepreneurship has performed well in terms of publication volume and impact, with a broad range of contributors from various authors, journals and countries. The key themes in this research field include entrepreneurial capacity in agriculture, rural development through agricultural entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship for rural empowerment, technological innovation in agribusiness, youth engagement in agricultural entrepreneurship, urban agricultural entrepreneurship for food security. These themes are timely and relevant, as they reflect agriculture’s response to global challenges including climate change, rural unemployment, digital disruption and post-Covid economic landscape. The review also highlights that agricultural entrepreneurship is no longer confined to traditional farm-based models, but now incorporates innovation ecosystems, digital platforms and inclusive business models, offering a broader theoretical perspective and reflecting recent empirical developments. Practical implications The study broadens the conceptual landscape of agricultural entrepreneurship by integrating rural development goals, technological innovation and inclusive economic models. This synthesis highlights the need for more integrative research frameworks. Insights from this review can guide policymakers and development agencies in designing targeted interventions that promote tech-driven, youth-led agri-ventures and foster inclusive growth in rural economies. Originality/value The study provides a comprehensive overview of the contemporary state of agricultural entrepreneurship research. Unlike earlier reviews, this study captures emerging directions such as social and urban agricultural entrepreneurship and highlights how innovation and crisis adaptation are redefining the entrepreneurial landscape in agriculture.