Sustainable management of agricultural soil and water resources: current trends and challenges from global and Ukrainian perspectives

Irrigation is an important adaptation measure to global climate change, aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of the agricultural sector and addressing the food crisis. At the same time, methods and practices of sustainable management of water resources, soils, and soil fertility are of critical importance. The application of such approaches supports soil health, enables the delivery of essential ecosystem services, and contributes to overall ecosystem stability. This article analyses the issues of sustainable management of soil and water resources both internationally and within Ukraine. The study involves a bibliometric analysis of literature in the Scopus database, using selected keywords and a defined date range to examine the development of irrigation worldwide. Bibliographic network maps based on keywords were constructed, and clusters representing different aspects of irrigation research were identified. These clusters allow for the tracing of trends and the evolution of focus areas within this research domain. Ukraine is characterised by low coefficients of water resource availability. This study outlines the conceptual approaches, strategic directions, and current state of irrigation development in Ukraine, taking into account contemporary challenges. One of the key challenges facing the development of irrigation, irrigated agriculture, and the sustainable use of water and soil resources is the ongoing military conflict. The bibliometric analysis conducted reveals an increasing number of global publications on this topic during the period 1990–2023. The findings of this research can be used to inform irrigation development planning in Ukraine and to support decision-making at various levels of governance to ensure the sustainable management of water and soil resources.