Bibliometric Evaluation of Energy Efficiency in Agriculture

Abstract

In recent years, the importance of energy efficiency in the agricultural sector has become increasingly apparent. As the world faces challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and population growth, the need for sustainable and efficient agricultural practices has intensified. Energy plays a crucial role in agricultural production, from powering machinery and irrigation systems to processing and transportation. Therefore, understanding the scientific advancements and collaborative efforts in the field of energy efficiency in agriculture is essential for devising effective strategies, promoting innovation, and achieving global sustainability goals. The aim of this study is to provide insight into and a comprehensive overview of global publications on energy efficiency in agriculture and examine its scientific productivity. The paper explores the research areas and trending topics within the field, as well as the extent of collaboration among authors, institutions, and countries involved in this scientific domain. This investigation is crucial in order to address the current energy shocks and the numerous problems they generate, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach and the need for multiple regions to work together. Only by offering rapid and viable solutions can we effectively overcome this situation.

1. Introduction

Energy efficiency and sustainability are today’s most frequently mentioned buzzwords. Related research and articles are often cited in the media in the economic and scientific world. Energy scarcity has been a constant feature of the past decades, but the Russian–Ukrainian war and changes in the European energy supply have sparked a renewed interest in the subject. Not only the uncertainty of a pragmatic system of Russian–European cooperation but also the increasing urgency of environmental problems have made energy supply and the efficiency of energy use (in households and in all industries) an important issue.

Among many other sectors, agriculture is perhaps one of the most energy-intensive [1,2,3] as the population explosion continues to reach new highs, not to mention its overconsumption. The food needs of the world’s growing population are a huge challenge for the agricultural economy [4,5,6].

Just recently, on 15 November 2022, the world’s population reached 8 billion [7,8]. Never have so many people lived on Earth at the same time. According to some scenarios [9], although the rate and intensity of growth will slow down, compared to the 2% average growth rate of the 1960s, by 2040, we will share the planet with 9 billion people [10,11]. The world population is growing by 80 million people a year [12], and the supply of food to consumers could cause new problems [13,14,15,16]. The reduction in the proportion of arable land suitable [17,18] for production due to anthropogenic effects—global warming, human activity, etc. [16]—could be another risk factor for humanity, which urgently needs a solution.

Although access to products and consumption rates are unevenly distributed across regions of the world [19,20], the material demands of increasing wealth and overconsumption are very high [21,22], and the energy consumption of food for consumers is increasing. A good example of this is 2021, when, despite the pandemic closures, we had already used up our resources for a year by the middle of the year (end of July). Due to the staggering consumption and climate change, previously vital food commodities (such as coffee, cocoa beans, avocados, etc.) and key energy and raw materials (minerals: sand; ores: iron, copper, aluminum; fossil fuels: coal, oil, gas) that we use every day could soon disappear [23,24].

The carrying capacity of the Earth is influenced by various factors such as technology, agricultural productivity, and energy use [25]. Simultaneously, the increasing emphasis on sustainability and environmental criteria presents additional challenges for the sector and researchers [26].

Due to the problems that have arisen since 2022, immediate and rapid solutions are needed, and time is a bottleneck in this equation. Forecasts indicate that by around 2030, the rampant use and consumption of non-renewable energy sources will transition towards renewable and sustainable energy sources [27,28]. However, the problems that need to be addressed, e.g., uncertain energy supply or inflation, have already had an impact. The prolonged disruption or endangerment of energy supply can lead to economic and social consequences [29]. Political divisions have already become apparent, and in the future, they may cause economic instability, job losses, social uncertainty, and tensions [30]. The swift resolution of the energy supply is crucial not only from an environmental perspective but also for human well-being and quality of life [31].

It is evident that this energy crisis is not merely a singular consequential event; rather, it engenders a cascade of subsequent problems, necessitating urgent solutions for the sustenance of daily well-being and the preservation of an unaltered standard of living. In light of this, unity and solidarity must become the defining characteristics of our response to the current crisis [32]. New solutions are needed, as previous attempts have failed to bring radical changes. Solving global problems requires a holistic approach and a systemic solution that requires interdisciplinary collaboration, teamwork, and cooperation [33,34].

1.1. Aims and Structure of the Article

The subject matter of the article is important and up to date. To provide immediate and effective solutions to existing problems, it can be stated that cooperation is essential across disciplines and within the international academic sphere. Merely generating groundbreaking ideas in a specific scientific field is insufficient; effective implementation requires collaboration and a team-based approach. Only through this approach can we make significant progress. However, despite the growing recognition of the relevance of this issue and the urgency of action, cooperation and systemic thinking are still limited.

In relation to the topic, we formulated three different aims that will be necessary to understand the issues in this field:

Aim 1. Therefore, the fundamental aim of this research is to conduct a comprehensive examination of the two fields of study and determine the global publication performance of ‘energy efficiency in agriculture’ as a topic. Furthermore, another objective is to conduct a content evaluation of scientific works published on ‘energy efficiency in agriculture’ to uncover the prevailing trend topics and assess their alignment with the current problem areas awaiting solutions.

Aim 2. A significant goal of this research is to evaluate the collaboration and partnership patterns among researchers, research institutions, and countries involved in scientific work related to ‘energy efficiency in agriculture’. This evaluation aims to identify cooperative networks and patterns of collaboration among the examined authors, institutions, and nations/countries.

Aim 3. The research also investigates whether collaborations and networks have been established among researchers in the examined field of study, specifically focusing on ‘energy efficiency in agriculture’. By exploring these collaborations and partnerships, valuable insights can be gained regarding the exchange of knowledge, resources, and best practices, which ultimately contribute to the advancement of research in this domain.

This research seeks to shed light on the collaborative efforts and cooperation among researchers in the field of ‘energy efficiency in agriculture’. By examining global publications and evaluating partnership patterns, our main aim is to facilitate the development of effective strategies, foster innovation, and promote sustainable practices in agricultural systems worldwide.

There is a research gap that this article can fill. The literature review shows no previous studies on the relationship between energy efficiency and agriculture. In the present research, we have focused on examining how the relationship between these two areas could be strengthened.

The article is structured as follows: Section 1 provides an introduction to the subject, examining the causes and consequences of the prevailing energy crisis, centering on the critical theme of energy efficiency in the agricultural sector and emphasizing its potential to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impacts. Section 2 provides a detailed overview of the materials and methods employed in the research. It outlines the procedures followed for data collection, elucidating the sources, methodologies, and tools utilized to gather relevant data for the study. Additionally, this chapter explains the specific research method employed, detailing the theoretical frameworks and experimental designs used to address the research objectives. Section 3 presents the findings obtained from the evaluation conducted in the study. It encompasses a series of sections exploring different aspects of the research outcomes. Section 3.1 focuses on global publication performance, examining the quantity, quality, and impact of publications on the topic under investigation. Section 3.2 delves into research performance according to countries, shedding light on the contributions and achievements of different nations in the field. Section 3.3 conducts a content and keyword analysis of scientific works, revealing prevalent themes, trends, and patterns within the body of literature. Section 3.4 explores the chronology of trend topics, and Section 3.5 presents a cooperation analysis of scientific works, investigating collaboration patterns based on documents of publications and countries. Section 4 provides an interpretation of the results, contextualizing them within existing knowledge and other research. Section 5 offers a concise summary of the key findings and insights obtained from the study. It revisits the research aims and provides a comprehensive synthesis of the main results and their significance.

1.2. Definition of Energy Efficiency

In its 2011 Energy Efficiency Plan, the European Union set objectives aiming to achieve a minimum 32.5% energy efficiency target for all member states by 2030. The plan also ensures and creates the potential for further progress in the field of energy efficiency beyond 2030. Article 2 of the Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council precisely defines the concept of energy efficiency as follows: “Energy efficiency means the ratio of output of performance, service, goods, or energy to input of energy” [35].

As an alternative approach, Sebestyénné (2013) formulates ‘energy efficiency’ as follows: “Energy efficiency implies sustaining the same level of economic activities or services with less energy consumption” [36]. She also elaborates that energy conservation, which is often used to describe reducing energy consumption, has a different meaning, as “energy conservation is a broader concept that includes changes in behavior and restrictions on economic activities” [36]. Therefore, energy efficiency means reducing energy consumption while maintaining the same level of economic production and service quality.

1.3. Causes and Consequences of the Energy Crisis

After the pandemic, the world had barely awakened when, within a short period of time (on 22 February 2022), another challenge had to be faced. The Russian–Ukrainian armed conflict and its pronounced consequences were felt not only locally but also globally. The influence of the war on the global energy system immediately generated discernible and tangible problems, as the 21st-century globalized world witnessed the emergence of simultaneous geopolitical fault lines, resulting in immediate economic and trade repercussions [37,38]. Existing trade agreements, cooperative contracts, and economic and trade relations between nations have suddenly lost their validity, posing a significant risk of deepening geopolitical ruptures. This situation may lead to the formation of isolated commercial, technological, and political islands, rather than fostering economic integration [37]. While the events have caused a global crisis, the countries of the European Union have been particularly affected. Due to restrictions and sanctions, their heavy dependence on Russian resources resulted in a complete disruption of the energy supply [39,40].

Addressing the issue of energy efficiency in agriculture has garnered attention from various international organizations and research institutions. Prominent among them are the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the European Union Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (EIP-AGRI), the World Energy Council, and the Energy Efficiency Institute. Their collective research supports the idea that reducing energy consumption in agriculture is attainable through technological process improvements, modernization of agricultural machinery and equipment, and advancements in technology. Though this study does not aim to provide an exhaustive review of these efforts, it briefly highlights some of them. A compelling example lies in the transformation of energy efficiency in the agrifood industry, which has spurred the emergence of new technologies such as biotechnology, digital technology, renewable energy technology, mechanization, irrigation technology, and food processing technology. Leveraging innovative solutions and technological knowledge, these advancements enable increased production while simultaneously reducing energy consumption and other inputs, ultimately fostering the development of sustainable and efficient agricultural and food systems [41].

When discussing various tools and mechanization, we are not referring to new automation processes. Starting from traditional tools and progressing to the involvement of animals and the utilization of motorized equipment, humanity has been employing various mechanization processes for a long time.

However, what has significantly changed is digital automation (known as precision agriculture), which now involves the use of digital tools and robotics with AI.

In Figure 1, a more detailed representation of the technological advancement in agriculture can be observed. It categorizes various technologies and provides a characterization of the individual groups, including the enumeration of associated tools within each group. As is visible, the sector has undergone significant transformations, and this evolutionary process has accelerated dramatically in recent decades, primarily due to innovation.

In addition to technological transformation, there are ample opportunities for reducing energy consumption in agriculture by increasing the efficiency of production processes and upgrading agricultural machinery. Leveraging technical advancements, sensor applications, and digital tools, alongside AI and automation, can optimize production processes, enhance productivity, and minimize energy requirements and waste emissions [42]. By adopting these approaches, agricultural economists and researchers can effectively address the challenges of the 21st century.

Some of these global challenges include:

• Sustainably improving agricultural productivity to meet the escalating demand.
• Ensuring the preservation of a sustainable natural resource base.
• Mitigating the impact of climate change and intensification of natural hazards.
• Eradicating extreme poverty and reducing inequality.
• Eliminating hunger and addressing all forms of malnutrition.
• Making food systems more efficient, inclusive, and resilient.
• Enhancing income-earning opportunities in rural areas and tackling the root causes of migration.
• Building resilience to protracted crises, disasters, and conflicts.
• Preventing transboundary and emerging threats to agriculture and food systems.
• Addressing the need for coherent and effective national and international governance [43].

By addressing these challenges with the aid of cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices, we can strive towards a more efficient and resilient agricultural sector that can effectively navigate the complexities of global issues.

The cessation and intermittent flow of pipeline natural gas and oil pumped from the heart of Russia into the Union countries compelled governments to implement short-term strategies and measures, such as replenishing strategic reserves and reservoirs, and further effective interventions in the energy sector are needed, as forecasts indicate that the years 2023–2024 will pose an even greater challenge for the countries of the European Union [32].

According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2020, the world’s gross energy consumption was approximately 167,000 TWh (terawatt-hours). Among the energy sources, the utilization of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) significantly exceeded the share of renewable energy sources (solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy).

In terms of regional distribution (Figure 2), primary energy consumption, which includes the use of commercially traded renewable energy sources for gas, oil, coal, nuclear, and electricity production, is dominated by Asia, followed by North America and Europe, while the Middle East, South and Central America, and Africa contribute to a smaller share of global consumption. Asia has experienced significant growth in energy consumption since the 2000s, and BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and the Republic of South Africa) are also expected to have a substantial increase in energy consumption.

The ratio of energy consumption and the utilization of energy sources varies widely both globally and within the European Union, primarily influenced by economic development, population growth or decline rates, industrial activities in specific countries, transportation patterns, and energy production structures, among other factors.

Each of the BRICS countries is characterized by a large population and significant capacity, representing approximately 42% of the world’s population and contributing 30% to global GDP. As members of the G20, they hold substantial regional and global influence, along with significant consumer and productive potentials, leading to high levels of energy consumption. Evidence of this can be seen in the dramatic shift in global energy consumption rankings since 2000, driven by transformations in consumption and production patterns that have led to a drastic increase in the amount of energy used (Figure 3). In 2010, China surpassed the United States in energy consumption, with a significantly higher consumption rate of nearly 40%, reaching 3652 Mtoe. During this ten-year period (2000–2010), India (927 Mtoe) also surpassed Japan and Russia in energy consumption, securing the third position on the list, while Brazil (308 Mtoe) jumped five places forward. By 2022, the top five energy consumers in the world were China, the United States, India, Russia, and Japan, with the BRICS countries consistently increasing their energy consumption and the United States and Japan slightly reducing their energy usage.

The diversified use of energy carriers (electricity, heating, fuel for transportation, food production, etc.) is an evident necessity in the civilized world, and its absence or substitution presents a complex task.

In 2020, only 11% of the energy supply came from green energy sources, contrasting with the 89% share of non-renewable energy sources (Figure 3). Within the non-renewable energy sources, coal accounted for 26% of the usage, followed by oil at 31%, natural gas at 24%, and nuclear energy at 4% [45]. Despite projections [32,45] indicating an increasing proportion of clean and sustainable energy sources and their growing significance, the pace of change in the current situation remains limited and slow.

The transition to alternative, clean, and renewable energy sources often necessitates costly investments that a substantial portion of the global population cannot afford [46,47,48]. However, resorting to the use of unhealthy and environmentally detrimental substances to meet energy needs amidst scarcity would push our already burdened planet towards unpredictable environmental consequences [49,50]. Moreover, the efforts made thus far to address climate change would be rendered futile.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) (2022) characterizes this situation not merely as an energy crisis but as an energy shock, triggering a multitude of crises such as soaring energy prices, inflation, economic downturns, supply chain disruptions, and food supply uncertainties [51,52], among others, with the potential for further crises to emerge [49]. In this complex system, national economies, companies, and ultimately consumers bear significant losses and face immense burdens. In addition to the short-term measures implemented thus far, such as replenishing strategic energy reserves, implementing energy rationing, and promoting more efficient energy use, swift and effective interventions and proactive actions are imperative in this domain [53].

To mitigate the adverse effects of the energy shock and alleviate its consequences, comprehensive strategies that encompass sustainable energy production, technological innovation, and international collaboration are crucial. By investing in research and development, promoting renewable energy solutions, and fostering global cooperation, it is possible to pave the way for a resilient and sustainable energy future. Furthermore, raising awareness of and engaging communities in energy-efficient practices and transitioning to cleaner energy sources can contribute to long-term resilience and mitigate the potential risks associated with energy shocks [54].

1.4. Energy Efficiency in Agriculture

Energy efficiency refers to the ratio of useful energy produced and utilized compared to the total energy input, making it a critical indicator for measuring energy consumption [50,51]. Maximizing energy efficiency plays a vital role in achieving sustainable development objectives, conserving resources, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions [55]. Proper and optimal energy use, along with increasing efficiency, contributes to resource savings and environmental protection goals. According to a report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (International Energy Efficiency Scorecard: ACEEE), the most energy-efficient countries are France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands [56,57]. In addition to the mentioned countries, several other nations have also made significant strides in energy efficiency. Italy, Spain, and Japan have been recognized for their strong commitment to energy conservation and renewable energy integration. These nations have implemented comprehensive policies, stringent building codes, and innovative technologies to enhance energy efficiency across various sectors (Figure 4).

Furthermore, it is worth noting that energy efficiency is not limited to individual countries’ efforts but also requires international cooperation. Initiatives like the International Energy Agency’s Energy Efficiency in Emerging Economies Program (E4 Program) aim to support developing countries in improving their energy-efficiency practices. Collaborative efforts among nations can facilitate the exchange of best practices, technology transfer, and capacity building, fostering a global transition towards a more energy-efficient and sustainable future.

According to ACEEE’s executive director Steve Nadel: “Energy efficiency measures have never been more important with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine causing a global energy crisis amid the pre-existing threats posed by climate change” [57]. It can be said that measuring and evaluating energy-efficiency performance on a global scale enables countries to identify areas for improvement and implement effective policies and measures. Energy-efficiency benchmarks and rankings provide valuable insights and serve as a catalyst for countries to strive for continuous improvement. By prioritizing energy efficiency and adopting innovative approaches, nations can pave the way for a more resilient, low-carbon, and sustainable energy landscape. As Nadel described it, energy efficiency is the “least expensive way” to meet global energy demands [57].

Energy consumption varies significantly among different industries, as it is heavily influenced by the nature of their activities, production processes, and technological infrastructure. Heavy industries, such as aluminum production, have significant energy requirements due to the continuous energy demand for operating smelters. Other energy-intensive sectors include the chemical industry, paper manufacturing, and cement production.

Given the current energy crisis and its consequences, numerous studies and forecasts have indicated the need to reduce oil and gas consumption in the industrial sector. Among various sectors, agriculture also exhibits significant energy consumption since it is considered a major consumer within the spectrum of industries. The direct energy consumption in agriculture stems from the mechanized cultivation of fields and forests, the immediate needs of field cultivation, livestock farming, crop cultivation, irrigation, and other agricultural operations. Furthermore, the heating of greenhouses, the production of agricultural products and food, as well as their processing, entail not only direct but also indirect energy demands. Additionally, substantial amounts of natural gas are used in the production of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

Thus, the energy demand of agriculture encompasses all the energy used in various agricultural sectors, forestry management, and fishing, but indirectly, the food and processing industry also contributes to consumption.

Figure 5 shows the proportion of energy consumption among European Union member states between 2019 and 2020.

Therefore, energy efficiency is a significant undertaking across all sectors, with particular emphasis on agriculture due to its integral role within the overall energy system and its impact on food production and security. As such, the implementation of sustainable farming practices is of paramount importance in the agricultural sector.

Energy efficiency in agriculture can yield numerous benefits, including cost savings, reduced environmental impact, enhanced overall productivity, and, notably, decreased energy-resource consumption. To achieve energy efficiency in the agricultural sector, optimizing energy use is crucial, and there are several opportunities available to accomplish this goal:

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The adoption of more efficient irrigation methods, such as precision or drip irrigation, can reduce energy consumption.

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Utilizing energy-efficient agricultural machinery, including tractors, harvesters, and pumps.

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Integrating renewable energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, and hydropower into agricultural operations can provide clean energy solutions for those working in the agricultural sector.

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Ensuring efficient heating, ventilation, and cooling systems in agricultural buildings (e.g., barns, storage facilities) through the application of energy-efficient technologies. Climate control systems can assist in meeting heating and cooling needs.

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Organic agricultural waste can be utilized to generate renewable energy within the farming economy.

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Implementation of precision agriculture techniques, such as GPS-guided machinery and remote sensing.

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Optimizing the use of fertilizers and pesticides.

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Conducting energy audits to identify areas for improvement.

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Encouraging collaboration among stakeholders.

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Education and training initiatives to promote energy-efficient practices [58,59].

By implementing these energy-efficient strategies and fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the agricultural community, significant progress can be made toward achieving sustainable energy consumption and promoting a greener and more resilient agricultural sector.

2. Materials and Methods

In the first part of the Material and Methods chapter, the data collection context is described, followed by terminologies and search terms. In the second part, the methods and software used in the secondary research are presented.

2.1. Data Collection

The data were collected in January 2023, and although the database had data available from as far back as 1975, the publication record of the joint study of the two topics (agriculture and energy efficiency) was still negligible in the period before 2000, so the study only focused on the relevant period of joint research on the two topics. The present study examined a wide range of articles published in academic journals from the second millennium to the end of 2022.

A search using the keywords, ‘energy efficiency’ and ‘agriculture’ was performed between January 2000 and December 2022.

The research was based on the international Web of Science (WoS) platform. This is a bibliographic database that can be considered multidisciplinary in terms of literature collection. The WoS is one of the largest and most comprehensive internationally recognized bibliometric databases of peer-reviewed literature with the most comprehensive data set and is therefore considered an appropriate source for this research.

To collect the necessary data, the research used two terminologies—agriculture and energy efficiency—and Boolean operators. Since the aim of the research was to investigate the two disciplines together, the analysis was able to identify publications containing both terms together using the logical operator “and” and they were included in the database on this basis. In addition, in the search query for energy efficiency, the research used the asterisk (*) to include different variants/forms of the search term.

2.2. Method

The bibliometric study, analysis, systematization, and filtering of secondary research have always been and remain necessary and extremely important tasks in the academic sphere. But today, the explosion in the number of publications and the sheer volume of information (Big Data) available present a particular challenge even to the most able researcher. For the fulfillment of the objectives of this research project, the researchers adopted and applied a descriptive research design.

In examining the topic, it was essential to explore and research existing trends, and it was immediately apparent that less attention was paid to networking research in the literature and to a complex and holistic examination of the two disciplines. Thus, the choice of a quantitative method of bibliometric analysis for scientific analysis became justified. The use of this method is reliable and valuable for analyzing new disciplines, identifying patterns, and determining the future direction of the topics under study. In addition, bibliometric analysis is considered an objective, unbiased, and unambiguous technique.

In this research, the VOSviewer 1.6.19. software [60,61] and R programming were used for the bibliometric analysis as this method is able to create networks and clusters based on the bibliometric results and concepts collected, and thus it can be immediately detected whether the joint study of the two topics has reached the level of systemic, multidisciplinary collaboration.

3. Results

3.1. Global Publication Performance

During the analysis of the Web of Science articles published from 2000 to 2022 (Figure 1) it could be stated that 563,962 papers from the entire database were concerned with agriculture, while about one-fifth of them—119,480 scientific works—focused on energy efficiency, and the bibliometric analysis of 1787 papers found in the keyword search found papers that emphasize the complex system of the two disciplines (agriculture and energy efficiency).

The study showed that the agricultural field already had a high publication output in the 1970s, while in the field of energy efficiency, this level was reached only at the turn of 2008 (over 1000 publications/year), and the combined production rate of the two fields is still only a fraction of that.

Figure 5 clearly illustrates that 2008–2009 is a turning point for both agriculture and energy efficiency, as a breakpoint can be observed. At that time, probably as a result of the global crisis, the publication output of both topics increased significantly worldwide. From then on, the number of publications on agriculture showed a steep upward trend with several breakpoints (2017, 2018) until 2021.

Energy-efficiency testing also saw significant changes in 2017 and 2018, with a steady upward trend until 2021. But compared to the publication performance of agriculture, this curve has shown a less-sharp and -steep upward trend.

It can be clearly seen that the two themes (agriculture and energy efficiency) lag far behind the previous two separate themes (Figure 6). But this slightly rising flat curve is only relative. However, looking at the graph on its own (Figure 6), it is more striking that the trend is positive in this case too, with a slow but steadily rising curve. The complex theme has seen several boosts in recent decades (in 2010, 2013, 2015, and after 2016) and even in 2022. When the publication rates of the other two themes separately fell, the joint study of the two themes rose again compared to previous years.

Although there are still gaps in the combined study of these two disciplines, their slow rise could be encouraging. At the same time, the relevance of the field and its systemic approach to problem-solving offer a new opportunity for researchers. Since the research fundamentally examines the complex topic of energy efficiency in agriculture, the study will subsequently analyze and present the results exclusively in a combined manner (energy efficiency in agriculture) and discuss the findings accordingly.

3.2. Research Performance According to the Countries

In the field of energy efficiency in agriculture, the ranking of scientific productivity by country reveals that following China, the United States of America and India are the subsequent countries, with these three nations contributing to over 35% of the publication performance in this subject (

Table 1. Top twenty-five countries in “agriculture and energy efficiency” research productivity between the years of 2020 and 2022 [Source: Own edited, 2023].

Ranking	Country	Absolute Frequency
1	China	7179
2	USA	4541
3	India	1512
4	Italy	1178
5	Germany	1161
6	Iran	1116
7	Australia	1109
8	Brazil	1039
9	Canada	985
10	Japan	863
11	Pakistan	800
12	England	793
13	South Korea	769
14	Spain	767
15	Sweden	591
16	Poland	580
17	France	557
18	Saudi Arabia	541
19	Egypt	533
20	Netherlands	498
21	Turkey	493
22	Russia	387
23	Malaysia	386
24	Thailand	379
25	Denmark	346
51	Hungary	118

).

Following this, in fourth place in the European Union is Italy, followed by Germany, Spain, and Sweden. Poland holds an esteemed 5th position among the EU-27 countries (Figure 7), and its performance is also considered outstanding on a global scale, ranking 16th in the absolute ranking (Table 1). Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Hungary, as it occupies only the 51st position on the global publication list, significantly lagging behind both the global and EU countries’ activity in this field (Table 1).

The results of Figure 8 show that energy efficiency in agriculture has emerged as a crucial area of focus globally, driven by the need to address environmental challenges. The EU has established a comprehensive framework for sustainable development, highlighting various areas that require attention to achieve long-term environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Energy efficiency in agriculture plays a pivotal role in meeting several of these goals. We do not wish to analyze the importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 in this research; however, it should be mentioned that from all of the goals, Climate Action (SDG 13), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) have a great relation to energy efficiency in agriculture. Given the global push for sustainable development and Hungary’s commitment as an EU member state, it is vital for the country to prioritize energy efficiency in agriculture from 2023 to 2030. By doing so, Hungary can contribute to the achievement of the EU’s Sustainable Development Goals while aligning with the broader Agenda 2030.

3.3. Content and Keyword Analysis of Scientific Works

Keywords are perhaps one of the most important factors in identifying and retrieving the subject matter of different scientific research. They serve as valuable tools for effective communication, efficient information retrieval, and the dissemination of knowledge.

In biometric analysis, there are two types of keywords:

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Author Keywords, which refer to a set of carefully chosen terms or phrases selected by the authors of a scientific paper. These keywords represent the main themes, concepts, or ideas explored in the research. They act as concise descriptors that encapsulate the core focus of the study, aiding in its discoverability and categorization within scientific databases and literature.

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Keywords Plus, which are generated by bibliometric analysis software based on computer algorithms, or provided by some scientific databases, such as Web of Science. These keywords are designed to complement and expand the original set of Author Keywords.

These two categories of keywords were combined in the analysis. With a minimum number of occurrences of keywords (5), the analysis identified 150 different keywords in scientific publications, and the cluster analysis grouped these keywords into a total of 6 homogeneous clusters (Figure 9).

Based on the results of the keywords analysis, six different clusters can be identified:

Cluster 1 (Agricultural energy cluster): the cluster with the largest number of keywords, indicated in brick red on the left side of Figure 9, was mainly dedicated to the energy use of biomass from agricultural origin and its efficiency. This explains why terms such as arable farming, wheat or maize production, the use of bio-based motor fuels, biogas production, bioethanol, and biodiesel production have appeared in this group.

Cluster 2 (Sustainability-related cluster): the other closely related cluster—indicated in green—is highlighted by the following keywords: productivity, efficiency, and carbon emissions. Interestingly, this is where the concept of sustainability appears and where publications on consumption issues are also included. So, this is a cluster that looks at the whole farm operation and looks at agricultural energy management from the point of view of the efficiency of agricultural enterprises.

Cluster 3 (Technology-based optimization of energy efficiency): the third cluster is relatively smaller and relatively separate from the others; it is shown in blue on the right-hand side of Figure 2. This cluster deals with the optimization of the existing system and its potential. Partly from a technical point of view, the efficiency of energy management and the potential for the agricultural use of renewable energy sources are presented here.

Cluster 4 (Economics-based energy efficiency): the fourth cluster—marked in yellow—is made up of publications dealing with the cost-effectiveness of energy use in agriculture. The focus of this cluster is on the characteristics of cost efficiency. The focus is on economic efficiency and on the use of specific energy-intensive technologies, such as the use of rotational vegetable production.

Cluster 5 (Emission and energy-management cluster): the fifth cluster—marked in purple—examines energy management from the point of view of the environmental impact of agricultural production, with a particular focus on greenhouse gas emissions.

Cluster 6 (Food production system, Eco/Food economy): cluster 6, with the fewest keywords (in light blue) looks at the food production system as a whole.

3.4. Chronology of Trend Topics

Trends, or the dominant directions in science, are constantly changing, and there are always periods when the investigation of a particular subject becomes more popular and researched than others. The reasons for this can be found in the continuous economic, political, environmental, social, and technological changes, as well as the rapid flow of knowledge and information. Unexpected events such as financial market deregulation, environmental disasters, the emergence of new innovations in the market, scandals, or the recent pandemic, for example, can also shake the representatives of the scientific community. In the field of energy efficiency in agriculture, similar trend waves can be observed, which have been continuously changing in recent years. While in the first half of the 2010s, the topics of biofuels, oil, ethanol production, and carbon sequestration were the researched trend themes, after 2015, topics such as efficiency, balance, systems, productivity, management, and yield emerged as newly researched directions. These emphasized the business perspective of the field, making them popular not only in the business world but also among researchers. From 2017 onwards, issues related to environmental protection occupied the minds of the scientific community. Popular topics during this period included greenhouse gas emissions, emissions, and CO₂ emissions, which gained even more prominence by 2021. After 2021, the focus shifted to the future and technology, encompassing not only the present but also prognoses and predictions for the future. These topics have become popular among researchers as well (Figure 10).

If we want to examine the relevant discourses in the scientific community, we can make precise determinations, using the Thematic Map [62], regarding which topics are of great interest to researchers in the field of energy efficiency in agriculture and which ones can be considered niche themes or neglected areas. This method arranges the topics into clusters by examining the semantic basis of scientific works.

The Thematic Map, or strategic diagram, can be divided into four quadrants:

Motor Themes: These are highly valued and frequently researched scientific areas. This quadrant encompasses topics that engage a large number of researchers. These topics have been studied by a wide range of research groups for a long time. They are continuously viable and of interest. These research topics have significant relevance and high development potential. In our examination of the complex research topic, the following can be considered motor themes, generating intense debates among researchers: greenhouse-gas efficiency, CO₂ emission, energy, consumption, systems, wheat production, milk, feed, catalyst, dehydration, fruits (Figure 11).

Niche Themes: This quadrant encompasses topics that have a high development potential but low significance. Although they are evolving to a great extent, their importance still lags behind other topics. Perhaps this, coupled with the expectedly low citation rates, contributes to the lack of popularity among researchers in exploring these areas. While practitioners within these specific topics may engage in extensive discussions, they do not capture the attention of the majority of the scientific community. In the current research topic under examination, no identifiable theme falls into this quadrant (Figure 11).

Emerging or Declining Themes: This group is characterized as the opposite of motor themes. These topics have low relevance and development and thus can be considered areas of limited interest. There are two possible reasons for this: either there is a lack of professional culture and interest to discuss these topics among researchers, or there is simply no interest in these areas. In this sense, the themes belonging to this quadrant are marked by uncertainty. It is possible that they may become prominent in the future, but it is equally likely that they may fade away in the field of science. In the context of energy efficiency in agriculture, emerging or declining themes include topics related to the fourth industrial revolution, digitalization, and the Internet of Things (IoT), such as the kinetics of rough rice, dielectric properties, algorithms, and the Internet of Things.

Basic Themes: This category encompasses topics that form the foundation of the scientific field. Although they may have low relevance today, they serve as the basis for ongoing and emerging topics. While their development may have reached a plateau, they still constitute the cornerstone of the current trending themes and thus cannot be ignored in scientific discourse.

According to the analysis of scientific publications on the researched topic of energy efficiency in agriculture, the following journals are identified as the main channels through which researchers aim to share their findings in the scientific information space: (1) Energies, (2) Energy, (3) Journal of Cleaner Production, (4) Applied Engineering in Agriculture, and (5) Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews (Figure 12). Among these journals, Energy and Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews exhibit the highest local citation rates in the field (Figure 12).

3.5. Cooperation Analysis of Scientific Works

3.5.1. Cooperation Patterns Based on Documents of Publications

In order to examine research performance in more detail, co-authorship patterns were investigated, and the following results were obtained. The cluster analysis revealed that co-authorship collaboration among experts working together and in a complex way on these two topics (agriculture and energy efficiency) is very low.

Looking at the whole database, it can be observed and is clearly shown in Figure 13 that co-authorship cooperation performs very poorly based on the cooperation criteria as there is hardly any homogeneous cooperation segment among the authors. However, what basically characterizes this community of authors is that they work and publish on the topic under study in a distinctly separate way from each other.

The analysis of the worldwide authors’ collaboration network, which is graphically represented in Figure 13, reveals three connections between authors. For the whole data set, the study identified three distinct, small segments:

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Greek collaboration cluster.

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Canadian collaboration cluster.

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Portuguese collaboration cluster.

Cluster 1 (Greek collaboration cluster): The first cluster, marked in red in the middle-left of Figure 13, is the cluster with the largest number of authors (7). This includes the following collaborating authors by name: Anagnostopoulos, Christ (Laboratory of Pesticide Residues, Department of Pesticides Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Greece); Kalburtji, Kiriaki I (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Agriculture, Greece); Mamolos, Andreas P (School of Agriculture, Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece); Menexes, George C (School of Agriculture, Laboratory of Agronomy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece); Michos, Marios C (Faculty of Agriculture, Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece); Tsaboula, Aggeliki D (School of Agriculture, Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece); and Tsatsarelis, Constantinos (Faculty of Agriculture, Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece). This group shows a higher degree of connectivity and more consistent and direct connection.

Cluster 2 (Canadian collaboration cluster): The cluster of researchers farther to the right, upwards from the first cluster, marked in green, brings together four dominant authors as a homogeneous unit: Edwards, Jonathan P (Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada); Gabardo, Christine M (Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada).; Sargent, Edward H (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada); and Sinton, David (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Canada).

Cluster 3 (Portuguese collaboration cluster): The third co-authorship group, which is still relevant and forms a homogeneous unit, is the segment marked in blue. The three co-authors in this cluster are: Abrishambaf, Omid (Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal); Faria, Pedro (Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal); and Vale, Zita (Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal).

The collaboration of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki researchers in Greece is highly exemplary, as is that of the second cluster, most of whom are part of the University of Toronto research team in Canada, and the members of Polytechnic of Porto in Portugal.

Unfortunately, the preceding example is quite unique, because most of the researchers work independently separately from the other organizations, and this was confirmed by the cluster analysis, as no homogeneous group could be formed among the organizations on the basis of any criteria.

At the same time, it is also immediately visible that these collaborations indicate the collaboration of researchers within a single organization or institution, and these relevant cooperations are not in connection with institutes or with other authors in other countries (for instance, there is a lack of significant connections with regions of crucial importance in terms of science and the topic itself, such as China or America) (

Table 2. Collaboration of authors [Source: Own edited, 2023].

Clusters	Authors	Institutes
Cluster 1 (Greek collaboration cluster)	Anagnostopoulos, Christ (Figure 13)	Laboratory of Pesticide Residues, Department of Pesticides Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute
	Kalburtji, Kiriaki I (Figure 13)	Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Agriculture
	Mamolos, Andreas P (Figure 13)	School of Agriculture, Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
	Menexes, George C (Figure 13)	School of Agriculture, Laboratory of Agronomy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
	Michos, Marios C	Faculty of Agriculture, Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
	Tsaboula, Aggeliki D	School of Agriculture, Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
	Tsatsarelis, Constantinos (Figure 13)	Faculty of Agriculture, Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Cluster 2 (Canadian collaboration cluster)	Edwards, Jonathan P	Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto
	Gabardo, Christine M	Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto
	Sargent, Edward H	Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto
	Sinton, David	Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria
Cluster 3 (Portuguese collaboration cluster)	Abrishambaf, Omid	Polytechnic of Porto,
	Faria, Pedro	Polytechnic of Porto,
	Vale, Zita	Polytechnic of Porto

).

This, of course, also indicates (Table 2) that researchers only demonstrate collaboration activity at a local level, within their own countries, and even within their own institutions in the examined topic (energy efficiency in agriculture). However, in terms of scientific output, the consolidation of these small communities has also yielded significant results for individual authors. Thanks to their collaboration, scholars belonging to the Greek cooperation cluster, such as Kalburtji, Kiriaki I., Mamolos, Andreas P., Menexes, George C., and Tsatsarelis, Constantinos, are considered among the most relevant authors in the scientific community. Also, Figure 14 contributes to these results showing that among the most relevant authors Kalburtji, Mamolos and Menexes can be found, with the number of six documents, followed by Tsatsarelis with five documents. The other authors included in the results have four collaboration documents.

3.5.2. Cooperation Patterns Based on Countries

Based on co-authorships, it is evident that there is a strong China–United States axis and a China–Australia collaboration in terms of cooperating countries (Figure 15). However, it is also clear that the Central and Eastern European axis is completely absent from these collaborations.

This research also examined the extent of collaboration among authors from different countries. It is characteristic for all countries that internal collaborations within the respective country prevail in the field, even in the case of the most productive countries such as China, the United States, or India. Turkey, on the other hand, does not show any inclination toward collaborative efforts.

4. Discussion

4.1. Characterization of the Research Using SWOT Analysis

Strength: The strength of the research lies in providing a snapshot of energy efficiency in agriculture during a period when immediate and effective action and cooperation are crucial worldwide. Another added value of the study is its examination of the academic sphere’s publication performance during a time marked by significant events. Moreover, the research successfully identifies a few instances of research collaboration that can serve as exemplary models.

Weakness: The timeframe of the Russian–Ukrainian armed conflict and the subsequent energy crisis covers only a few months, so the study encompasses only this specific period. Since the onset of the armed conflict, numerous economic, political, social, and environmental changes have occurred. It is essential to re-evaluate and compare the consequences of the energy crisis with the current situation.

Opportunity: The results of keyword analysis shed light on topics such as the use of agricultural biomass for energy and its efficiency, sustainability-related issues, energy efficiency and management, food production and economy, and organic foods. These themes could be the focus of future research for scholars and highlight trends during different periods, offering further inspiration and specific opportunities for researchers. The study identifies emerging topics that are novel and forward-looking. It is evident that innovation, efficiency, and future-oriented research will remain at the forefront of scientific interest for some time. These developments may provide an opportunity for researchers who have been on the periphery or working independently to join the scientific network and make significant contributions. There are also new methodological possibilities in the field of ‘energy efficiency in agriculture’, as data-driven Big Data analysis can offer more comprehensive and extensive insights in the future.

Threat: However, the analysis of vast amounts of data (Big Data) also entails risks, such as the misinterpretation and unjustified application of problem areas, the utilization of flawed and inadequate examples, data quality, data content, and sampling issues [63]. These risks can distort the results; therefore, it is essential to interpret, analyze, and ultimately implement and apply the findings thoughtfully and cautiously.

4.2. Novelties and Future Research Opportunities

One of the significant results and novelties of this research lies in its comprehensive overview of a period spanning over two decades, during which numerous events (the 2008 global economic crisis, the pandemic, the Ukrainian–Russian armed conflict, energy crisis) have had long-term impacts on economic, social, political, environmental, and other aspects. Clearly, the economic downturn caused by the events in 2008, along with increased unemployment and rising debts, stimulated and sustained a turbulent interest and publication performance in the field of energy efficiency in agriculture.

In contrast, the pandemic resulted in a kind of stagnation, even a decline, in the volume of publications related to energy efficiency in agriculture, and this decline was mainly driven by only three countries. Even the Russo–Ukrainian armed conflict, along with the resulting energy supply issues, geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, and market changes, failed to provide further momentum to the academic experts in this field, despite the urgency for rapid and effective responses and problem-solving, which are crucial to increasing the number of publications containing innovations.

As this period of the energy crisis represents a short interval, covering only 8 months of the examined timeframe, it would be worthwhile to re-examine this cycle in the future to observe any changes in this area. After all, ‘energy efficiency in agriculture’ is a topic that clearly engages researchers in the exploration of ‘the future’ and ‘technology,’ as is evident from the examination of trending themes.

The world struggling with energy and food supply issues demands urgent action because the current behavioral changes initiated, namely energy conservation, can only have limited and temporary effects on the problem. Such measures do not offer a long-term solution or address energy efficiency adequately.

As a novelty, the trend topic results and the Thematic Map shed light on and unequivocally support the fact that real problem-solving in the field of energy efficiency in agriculture requires innovation and technological changes, as well as a future-oriented mindset. However, the future is much closer to the present than we might think. The current challenges demand not only cross-border but also global collaboration across societies. Furthermore, the network analysis conducted using the VOSviewer software and the R program reveals a significant finding in the academic sphere: the research collaborations in the field of energy efficiency in agriculture are most prominent between the countries with the highest publication output, namely China and the United States. In contrast, European countries, especially those in Central and Eastern Europe, are notably marginalized from this network.

Researchers from certain countries (e.g., Greece, Portugal, etc.) engage in close collaboration within their respective institutions, but their activities fall far behind the forefront of the world, despite the value of their results. Sharing their discoveries (findings) and integrating human resources—that is, the researchers—into the scientific circulation would be beneficial for scientific development and effective problem-solving. To achieve progress and strategic goals, it is essential to maximize resources and involve all stakeholders (researchers, research institutions, business sector, and for- and non-profit organizations), and encourage collaboration across various scientific disciplines. “The dissemination of information and knowledge-intensive technologies requires the establishment of different connections between science and technology, basic research and applied research, and knowledge production and utilization” [64].

The processing of the globally accumulated data set on energy efficiency in agriculture or energy-based measuring cannot be performed in isolation [65,66]. Managing this significant amount of data opens up a new area of investigation for researchers, as extracting information from the massive data pool can be crucial for decision-making. Beyond traditional database analysis, utilizing Big Data—referring to data sets of terabytes to petabytes (and even exabytes) in size—can enhance processes related to energy efficiency in agriculture. There are already successful examples of this in other industries, such as high-tech, automotive, healthcare, telecommunications, etc. “One of the fields where Big Data can be gained and transformed into the useful information is Energy” [67]. In the academic domain, Big Data presents a new and powerful frontier as it allows various methods of analysis, such as text analysis, video analysis, predictive analysis, and more [68].

The emerging technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, autonomous vehicles, 5G, new sensors, etc.) hold significant potential and benefits for the global agricultural and food industries in the future [69,70]. While we are already witnessing influential changes in the present, we must learn to systematically apply the inherent potential of these technologies. Therefore, future research in this field offers ample opportunities for interested researchers.

The events of the examined period have highlighted the need for efficiency and innovation to continuously influence research directions. Being prepared to operate in a world of growing risks and uncertainties emphasizes the importance of integrating efficiency and innovation into every aspect of the agricultural sector.

4.3. Further Research Studies and Identifiable Methods

Based on the content analysis of specialized articles on energy efficiency in agriculture, it can be concluded that significant progress has been made in the past two to three years compared to the previous decade. The majority of research studies examine energy efficiency in agriculture with a focus on the entire value chain, reflecting a system-thinking approach. The emergence of trends such as optimization, performance, and input-output analysis has resulted in a continuous and value chain-oriented exploration of this complex topic in scientific investigations.

Most studies predominantly focus on specific crops, such as:

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Cereals: wheat, rice [71,72,73].

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Vegetables, fruits: plums [74], citrus fruits [75], tomatoes [76], and almond cultivation [77].

Through these examples, the studies illustrate production efficiency by focusing on input-output balance [78].

The goal is to integrate farming proposals with low energy-consumption efficiency into production, optimizing the production system and achieving more efficient production while considering sustainability and reducing CO₂ emissions [73,75,79,80,81].

The content analysis of scientific works highlights the importance of modernizing agricultural production and increasing productivity. However, it also emphasizes the crucial need to reduce the energy intensity of the agriculture sector and consider the energy requirements and environmental impacts of production.

The fact that researchers examine processes in a comprehensive manner, taking into account various scientific disciplines, is both positive and forward-thinking [82]. These findings highlight the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and a comprehensive approach to address energy efficiency in agriculture effectively [83,84,85]. By integrating findings from diverse fields of study and considering the entire production system, innovative solutions and practices can be developed to optimize energy use, minimize environmental impacts, and promote sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, ongoing research and knowledge exchange among scientists and stakeholders are vital for continuous improvements in energy efficiency within the agricultural sector.

5. Conclusions

The present study aimed to examine the global performance of ‘agriculture and energy efficiency’ studies.

Aim 1 results: Based on the content analysis of articles on “energy efficiency in agriculture”, it can be concluded that there has been significant progress in the past two to three years compared to the previous decade. Most of the research takes a system-thinking approach, considering the entire value chain of agriculture. The emergence of trends focused on optimization, performance, and input-output has led to comprehensive investigations in scientific studies. However, in the past two years, the publication performance has declined, reflecting the need to reinvigorate research on the topic in the current economic circumstances and energy crisis, involving both academia and business stakeholders.

Aim 2 results: The content analysis of scientific works reveals that key themes of the current interest in addressing the issue of energy efficiency in agriculture include the utilization of agricultural biomass for energy purposes, the environmental impact of agricultural production, the reduction of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions, productivity and efficiency, optimization possibilities, and specifically, energy efficiency. These central or so-called “motor” topics have garnered continuous interest and have anticipated the problems arising from the current crisis in various stages, as reflected in publications from 2017 to 2021. Although energy-consumption optimization and efficiency were prominent trend topics in scientific works as early as 2020, prior to the energy crisis in 2022, they have not been elevated to the status of motor topics. These topics form the basis of the field but have stagnated in terms of scientific output. This publication aims to highlight the importance of energy efficiency and optimization in agriculture as trend topics and emphasize the urgent need for their rapid investigation to provide solutions for society and the economy in the near future. The problems awaiting solutions in this field require immediate action. The results also indicate that the most relevant sources for exploring these topics are the scientific publications Energies, Energy, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Applied Engineering in Agriculture.

Aim 3 results: Globally, researchers from China, the United States, and India publish a significant number of scientific works and research results on this topic, and there is an intensive collaboration between the leading two countries.

The analysis of documents reveals some collaboration among Greek authors, primarily within a single institution.

The collaboration of research institutes and countries from different disciplines is necessary for rapid and effective problem-solving, as the sudden and accumulated problems require a holistic and systems-level approach.

Based on the results, collaboration is essential for efficiency, as well as to open boundaries among organizations and scientific institutions to achieve rapid and effective progress in the field, as an open mindset is required.