This study explores the evolving research landscape surrounding sensing technologies for agricultural optimization, with an emphasis on food quality and safety. Through a comprehensive analysis of publications from 1985 to 2024, it identifies key trends, influential works, and emerging thematic clusters. Findings highlight a consistent growth in scholarly output, driven by the need for improved detection methods that mitigate threats to food safety, including the use of biosensors and nanotechnology. Further, the data emphasize cutting-edge instrumentation—spanning electrochemical techniques, fluorescence methodologies, and aptamer-based assays—designed to enhance accuracy, sensitivity, and speed in contaminant monitoring. Beyond technical innovations, research increasingly considers consumer-related dimensions such as flavor, sensory evaluation, and nutritional value. The focus also extends to large-scale agricultural processes and supply chain management, where automation, digitalization, and robotics play pivotal roles in shaping cultivation, harvesting, and distribution strategies. This interdisciplinary convergence of chemistry, biology, engineering, and data science underscores the importance of balancing safety, sustainability, and consumer satisfaction. Overall, the study offers a broad perspective on how sensing technologies are transforming modern agriculture and highlights critical gaps requiring further investigation. By integrating advanced detection systems with consumer-centric considerations, future research stands to foster a safer, more efficient, and ultimately resilient global food supply.