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Emerging Technologies in Rural Development: A Scoping Review of Current Knowledge

Andreea Butnariu, Geta-Mirela Ispas, Levente Fehér, Alexandru-Emil Bejenaru, Oana Coca, Gavril Ștefan

    Published: · DOI: 10.3390/agriculture16101081

    Agriculture (MDPI), 2026, volume 16, issue 10, article 1081

    • rural development
    • emerging technologies
    • sustainable development goals
    • emerging future
    • development perspectives

    Abstract

    The paper maps applications of emerging technologies in rural development through a scoping review structured around four pillars: economic, social, environmental and governance. It analyses 129 English-language articles published between 2015 and 2025 and identified in the Web of Science Core Collection, following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Information was synthesised in thematic tables and compared across pillars. The findings show accelerated publication growth after 2020. Machine learning, deep learning and the Internet of Things dominate applications in precision agriculture, telemedicine and water management. Gaps persist in biodiversity monitoring, climate adaptation, services for older people and the rural circular economy, while governance is the least represented pillar. The proposed integrated framework and knowledge map can guide research and public policy towards balanced and sustainable rural transformation.

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    Links and identifiers

    Publication pageOpenDOI10.3390/agriculture16101081
    Quick citation

    Butnariu, Andreea; Ispas, Geta-Mirela; Fehér, Levente; Bejenaru, Alexandru-Emil; Coca, Oana; Ștefan, Gavril (2026). Emerging Technologies in Rural Development: A Scoping Review of Current Knowledge Agriculture (MDPI), 16(10), 1081. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16101081

    Bibliographic manager formats

    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{Butnariu2026,
  title = {Emerging Technologies in Rural Development: A Scoping Review of Current Knowledge},
  author = {Butnariu, Andreea and Ispas, Geta-Mirela and Fehér, Levente and Bejenaru, Alexandru-Emil and Coca, Oana and Ștefan, Gavril},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {Agriculture (MDPI)},
  volume = {16},
  number = {10},
  eid = {1081},
  doi = {10.3390/agriculture16101081},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16101081},
  keywords = {rural development, emerging technologies, sustainable development goals, emerging future, development perspectives}
}
    RIS
    RIS
    TY  - JOUR
AU  - Butnariu, Andreea
AU  - Ispas, Geta-Mirela
AU  - Fehér, Levente
AU  - Bejenaru, Alexandru-Emil
AU  - Coca, Oana
AU  - Ștefan, Gavril
TI  - Emerging Technologies in Rural Development: A Scoping Review of Current Knowledge
PY  - 2026
JO  - Agriculture (MDPI)
VL  - 16
IS  - 10
C7  - 1081
DO  - 10.3390/agriculture16101081
UR  - https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16101081
KW  - rural development
KW  - emerging technologies
KW  - sustainable development goals
KW  - emerging future
KW  - development perspectives
ER  -