A global bibliometric review of micro irrigation adoption and technology acceptance using the TCCM framework

Micro-irrigation technologies, including drip and sprinkler systems, are increasingly promoted to improve water-use efficiency and agricultural productivity under growing water scarcity. Despite their technical advantages, adoption remains uneven due to financial constraints, limited technical capacity, and institutional barriers. This study presents a systematic global assessment of research on micro-irrigation adoption using bibliometric and thematic analyses combined with the Theory–Context–Characteristics–Methodology framework. Bibliographic records were retrieved from the Scopus database, yielding 61 publications, of which 39 eligible peer-reviewed studies published between 1989 and 2025 were analysed. The results indicate steady growth in research output over the past two decades, with India, the United States, China, Iran, and several European countries emerging as leading contributors. Behavioural and technology acceptance perspectives, particularly the Theory of Planned Behaviour, Technology Acceptance Model, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, and Diffusion of Innovation framework, constitute the dominant theoretical foundations. Financial limitations, risk perceptions, and knowledge gaps are identified as the most frequently reported barriers, while digital agriculture and precision irrigation technologies represent emerging research directions. This study provides an integrated synthesis that combines bibliometric mapping with structured theoretical evaluation to reveal the intellectual structure, research trends, and methodological patterns of the field. The findings contribute to a clearer understanding of existing knowledge and highlight key research gaps to guide future scholarly investigations in micro-irrigation adoption research.