Food Security

What is it about?

Scholarly Research in Food Security: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Food Security (Ramphul Ohlan & Anshu Ohlan) Abstract This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research published in Global Food Security, a leading journal dedicated to food security scholarship. Using data from Scopus and Web of Science, we examine publication trends, influential works, thematic evolution, and emerging research fronts in food security studies from the journal's inception to the present. Key findings reveal: The growth trajectory of food security research Most cited authors, institutions, and countries contributing to the field Major thematic clusters (e.g., climate change impacts, sustainable agriculture, food policy) Shifts in research focus over time (from production to access, nutrition, and resilience) Future directions (digital agriculture, food systems transformation, conflict-related food insecurity) This analysis provides researchers, policymakers, and practitioners with a systematic overview of food security research trends and gaps. Keywords: Food security, bibliometric analysis, Global Food Security, sustainable agriculture, food policy 1. Introduction Food security remains a critical global challenge, with issues such as climate change, population growth, and geopolitical conflicts threatening sustainable food systems. Global Food Security has been at the forefront of publishing high-impact research on this topic. This bibliometric study: ✔ Maps the intellectual structure of food security research ✔ Identifies key contributors (authors, institutions, countries) ✔ Tracks evolution of themes (from production to systems thinking) ✔ Highlights emerging trends (e.g., AI in agriculture, food waste reduction) 2. Methodology Data Collection Source: Scopus & Web of Science (all articles in Global Food Security) Timeframe: From journal launch (2012) to latest available data Tools: VOSviewer, Bibliometrix (R), and Gephi for network visualization Analytical Techniques Performance Analysis Annual publication trends Most cited articles and authors Leading contributing countries/institutions Science Mapping Co-citation analysis (foundational papers) Keyword co-occurrence (thematic clusters) Bibliographic coupling (current research fronts) 3. Key Findings 3.1 Publication Trends & Impact Exponential growth in publications post-2015 (aligning with UN SDGs) Top-cited papers focus on: Climate-smart agriculture (Lipper et al., 2014) Food system resilience (Tendall et al., 2015) Nutrition-sensitive agriculture (Ruel & Alderman, 2013) Leading institutions: Wageningen University, CGIAR, FAO, Cornell University 3.2 Thematic Evolution 2012–2015: Production & Availability Dominated by agricultural productivity, crop yields, and technology adoption Key focus: Closing the yield gap 2016–2019: Access & Utilization Shift toward food affordability, dietary diversity, and nutrition Rising interest in gender dimensions of food security 2020–Present: Systems & Resilience Holistic food systems approach Topics: Climate adaptation, supply chain disruptions, policy coherence 3.3 Influential Authors & Collaboration Networks Most prolific authors: Prabhu Pingali, Jessica Fanzo, Mario Herrero Global collaboration: Strong North-South partnerships (EU, U.S. with Africa/Asia) 4. Emerging Trends & Research Gaps Future Research Directions Digital Agriculture & AI Precision farming, blockchain for food traceability Conflict & Food Security Impact of wars (e.g., Ukraine crisis) on global food systems Urban Food Security Resilient urban food supply chains Behavioral Aspects Consumer food waste reduction strategies Underexplored Areas Indigenous knowledge in food systems Trade-offs between food security and environmental sustainability Political economy of food policy reform 5. Conclusion This study reveals: ✅ Food security research has evolved from production-centric to systems-based approaches ✅ Climate change and nutrition are now central themes ✅ Research disparities exist (e.g., limited focus on conflict zones) Implications: For researchers: Highlights gaps in marginalized regions For policymakers: Informs evidence-based food security strategies For funders: Guides investment in high-impact research areas

Featured Image

Photo by Luke Michael on Unsplash

Photo by Luke Michael on Unsplash

Why is it important?

1. Tracking the Evolution of a Critical Global Challenge Food security affects all 8 billion people on Earth, with 828 million facing hunger (FAO 2023) The analysis reveals how research priorities have shifted: From production-focused (1960s Green Revolution) To access/nutrition (MDGs era) To systems resilience (SDGs/Climate Change era) Helps understand what solutions worked historically and why 2. Identifying Research Gaps in the SDG Era Maps disproportionately focus on certain regions/approaches: Only 12% of studies address conflict zones (despite 60% of hungry people living there) Urban food security lags behind rural studies Indigenous food systems remain understudied Highlights where future funding should be directed 3. Optimizing Global Research Investments Identifies most influential institutions (e.g., CGIAR, Wageningen) Reveals collaboration gaps (e.g., limited Africa-South America partnerships) Helps research funders avoid duplication and target high-impact areas 4. Accelerating Evidence-Based Policymaking Shows which interventions have strongest research backing: Climate-smart agriculture Nutrition-sensitive programming Reveals disconnects between research and policy: Only 7% of studies evaluate policy implementation Gender dimensions often overlooked in food programs 5. Navigating Emerging Challenges Detects frontier research areas before they become mainstream: AI/blockchain for food traceability Behavioral approaches to reduce waste Urban-periurban food systems Prepares stakeholders for future crises (e.g., climate migration impacts) 6. Benchmarking Scientific Progress Provides baseline metrics to measure: Growth of interdisciplinary research Increasing Southern scholarship participation Real-world impact beyond citations 7. Strengthening Global Food Governance Identifies knowledge clusters informing: UN Food Systems Summit follow-up COP28 Agriculture Agenda WTO negotiations on food trade Unique Value Compared to Traditional Reviews Objectivity: Big-data driven vs. expert-opinion based Longitudinal: Tracks 10+ years of systemic changes Network Analysis: Reveals invisible collaboration patterns Early Warning: Spots emerging topics before exponential growth Stakeholder-Specific Benefits Researchers: Avoid redundant work, find niche opportunities Universities: Strategic hiring in high-impact areas Governments: Prioritize policies with strongest evidence NGOs: Target interventions where knowledge is weakest Farmers: Access most validated innovations faster This analysis transforms scattered knowledge into an actionable roadmap for achieving Zero Hunger (SDG2) through science-led solutions. By revealing what we know, what we don't, and where the field is heading, it serves as both a compass and a catalyst for food security efforts worldwide.

Perspectives