The state of the art of alternative agricultural systems and their relationship with sustainability: Tools and technologies used to mitigate the climate and environmental crisis

The environmental and climate crises have intensified the need for a new perspective on agricultural systems toward sustainability. This study presents a Systematic Literature Review focused on Alternative Agricultural Systems and their potential to address environmental, social, and economic sustainability challenges. By qualitatively analyzing 74 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2024, of which fifty presented specific environmental tools or technologies, this review explores the theoretical foundations of Alternative Agricultural Systems, their typologies, and the innovations employed to reduce the impacts of conventional agriculture. For this purpose, bibliometric tools and co-occurrence mapping using VOSviewer were applied. The study also identified the main research-conducting countries, thematic evolution, and emerging trends in sustainable agriculture. The results reveal a growing scientific interest in Alternative Agricultural Systems, particularly between 2014 and 2021, highlighting Biotechnology, Life Cycle Assessment, and Industry 4.0 as the most prominent technological fields. These findings emphasize the relevance of Alternative Agricultural Systems in promoting resilient and low-impact agricultural practices and contribute to the formulation of policies and technological pathways for sustainable food systems.