Mapping climate smart agricultural interventions in rice cultivation: a lexicometric and systematic review of methane emissions and yield outcomes

Introduction Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is a strategic framework designed to achieve productivity, resilience, and mitigation simultaneously. In rice cultivation, major CSA interventions are increasingly studied but evidence remains fragmented. This review consolidates global findings to clarify adoption drivers, intervention effectiveness, and thematic evolution. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Sixty-one peer-reviewed articles (2015–2025) from Scopus and Web of Science were analyzed. Bibliometric mapping, lexicometric analysis, and the PICO framework structured the synthesis. Tools including Biblioshiny, CiteSpace, VOS Viewer, and IRaMuTeQ were used to examine collaboration networks, discourse clusters, and intervention outcomes. Results The review identified consistent evidence of CSA’s potential to reduce methane emissions and enhance rice yields. Bundled interventions demonstrated stronger performance than single practices. Socioeconomic and demographic factors such as education, credit, and extension services were found to significantly influence adoption. Lexicometric analysis revealed convergence of discourse around sustainability, resilience, and innovation. Bibliometric mapping highlighted rapid growth of CSA-rice research, strong international collaboration, and concentration within key journals and author clusters. Discussion and conclusion CSA in rice cultivation delivers measurable triple-win outcomes but adoption remains uneven due to socio-institutional barriers. Policy frameworks integrating technical, financial, and social mechanisms are essential for scaling. Future research should prioritize comparative trials across regions, inclusion of demographic variables, and equity considerations to strengthen generalizability and guide targeted investments.