Examining the global application of internet of things (IoT) in agriculture: a bibliometric analysis of research trends

The Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a transformative force in modern agriculture, enabling precision farming, automation, and data-driven decision-making. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research on IoT applications in agriculture, tracing conceptual evolution, thematic trends, and collaborative networks from 1979 to 2025. Data retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science were analyzed using Biblioshiny (R-based Bibliometrix) and VOSviewer to evaluate publication patterns, country contributions, author productivity, and keyword co-occurrences. Results reveal exponential growth in IoT-agriculture research, particularly after 2016, reflecting the convergence of digital technologies and sustainability imperatives. India, China, and the United States emerge as leading contributors, collectively driving over 45% of global output, though international collaboration remains limited. Thematic mapping identifies “Internet of Things,” “machine learning,” “soil moisture,” “irrigation,” and “agricultural robotics” as motor themes propelling the field, while areas such as data governance, interoperability, and digital literacy remain underexplored. The factorial analysis highlights three dominant clusters AI-driven precision agriculture, blockchain-enabled security, and IoT-based automation illustrating the interdisciplinary nature of this research domain. By offering an integrated overview of scientific productivity, intellectual structure, and thematic evolution, this study contributes valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and agri-tech stakeholders to advance inclusive, secure, and sustainable IoT adoption in agriculture.