A Bibliometric Analysis of Agricultural Water Management Institutions

Abstract

Water is essential for life, livelihoods, food security, and sustainable development, with its efficient management being crucial for overall progress. Among the various aspects of water governance, water institutions play a pivotal role in regulating access, allocation, and sustainability. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of global research on agricultural water management institutions, covering 2,611 articles published over the past 30 years, sourced from the Scopus database. The analysis employs bibliometric techniques, including publication trends, leading journals, contributing countries, prominent authors, and keyword co-occurrence mapping, to identify key research themes and gaps. The findings reveal a significant rise in research output, with Water Policy emerging as the leading journal, while the United States, China, and Australia contribute the highest number of publications. Notable authors include Wurbs RA, Wang Y, and Boelens R. The most frequent keywords-water management, policy, and water governance - reflect dominant research directions. However, a critical gap exists in studies focusing on agricultural water institutions, particularly in India, where increasing water demand for irrigation necessitates stronger governance frameworks. Addressing this research gap is essential for enhancing institutional effectiveness in managing agricultural water resources. The study underscores the need for future research to explore the role of water institutions in ensuring equitable, efficient, and sustainable water use in agriculture. Strengthening this area of research will support policymakers and stakeholders in designing robust strategies for sustainable agricultural water management.