Abstract: In this study, CiteSpace-6.2.R3 software was utilized to conduct co-cited literature analysis on 1424 research papers regarding agricultural modernization in the CSSCI database from 1998 to 2022. The Institute of Subtropical Agriculture and the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, both affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology have conducted extensive research studies pertaining to agricultural modernization. Based on the literature in the CSSCI database, this study integrates keyword-based co-citation analysis of research papers from these three institutes during 1980–2023 to explore the knowledge base and cutting-edge trends in the field. The study reveals the following. 1) The evolutionary trajectories of CSSCI database studies on agricultural modernization include feasible paths for agricultural modernization, such as coordinated coupling and interactive impacts with (new) urbanization, industrialization, and informatization; challenges related to agricultural social services; the role of agricultural management bodies; rural revitalization efforts; and the significance of smallholder farmers in advancing agricultural modernization. These fields focusing on small farmers represent one of the latest research frontiers in the field of agricultural modernization. 2) The literature on agricultural modernization research in the CNKI database encompasses eight major themes: application of remote sensing technology in agriculture, modernizing ecologically reared pig farming, wetland ecology research, upgrading karst ecosystem and technological poverty alleviation measures, highly efficient agricultural technologies in North China, maintaining and enhancing fertility of black soils, breeding rice varieties resistance to adversity, and studying red-soil hilly areas agroecosystems. 3) The concept and practice of agricultural modernization exhibit a time-series dynamic evolutionary feature where synergistic interaction between humans and nature as well as socio-economic systems have become a new trend. 4) The diverse technical accomplishments and program demonstrations established by the three research institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in different historical periods have played a crucial leading role in China’s agricultural development. Their research literature and academic writings are invaluable resources that deserve to be referenced and studied within this field. Future investigations on agricultural modernization should prioritize examining the significant contributions made by these three research institutes in exploring pathways towards agricultural modernization.n.