Bridging the current value gap: business model perspectives on circular water management in agriculture

Agricultural water management is vital for ecological resilience, yet the reintroduction of water-related landscape features (WLFs), such as wetlands, riparian buffers and hedgerows, remains limited in intensive farming systems. A bibliometric analysis of 433 Scopus-indexed articles shows that this field is currently dominated by biophysical and technical studies, with only an emerging body of research linking water management to circular economy and business-model innovation. Although the ecological benefits of WLFs are well documented, adoption is constrained by missing value-capture mechanisms, as most benefits occur beyond the farm. Drawing on value intention, the analysis shows how business managers’ motivations shape whether WLFs are seen as risks or opportunities. Thus, we argue that key drivers to shift perceptions include risk reduction, improved soil and water management and new circular-economy revenue streams. Advancing circular transitions requires research on value capture, differentiated business models, monetising resilience, resource recovery, landscape governance and behavioural barriers to adoption.