Financial Inclusion for Agriculture and Rural Communities: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Directions

Tam Nguyen Thi Thanh, Giang Nguyen Thuc Huong and Tuyen Nguyen Thanh

Agricultural & Rural Studies (A&R), 2026, vol. 4, issue 3

Abstract: Despite the growing importance of financial inclusion for agricultural and rural development, the literature lacks a dedicated bibliometric synthesis of research in rural and agricultural contexts. Addressing this gap, this study provides a comprehensive bibliometric mapping of financial inclusion research in agriculture and rural areas. Using a PRISMA protocol for article identification and screening, we analyzed 197 Scopus-indexed articles (2000–2025) with VOSviewer through keyword co-occurrence analysis and thematic clustering. This approach enables us to map the field’s intellectual structure, identify five major research themes, and trace its evolution from a focus on traditional financial access to broader concerns with digital finance, entrepreneurship, gender equality, and sustainable rural development. Its main contribution lies in mapping the intellectual structure and evolution of financial inclusion in agriculture and rural areas, while identifying key research gaps and a future research agenda. Drawing on the thematic clusters identified in the bibliometric analysis, the study highlights policy priorities for improving the quality and effective use of financial services, developing context-specific financial products for agriculture and rural populations, investing in digital and institutional infrastructure, and promoting gender-responsive financial inclusion.

Keywords: Agricultural and Food Policy; Community/Rural/Urban Development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/410305/files/A%26R-4-3-0015.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:aesars:410305

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.410305

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Agricultural & Rural Studies (A&R) from Zhejiang A&F University
Bibliographic data for series maintained by AgEcon Search ().