Abstract: Based on the method of scientific knowledge map and the theory of knowledge visualization, the authors explored the hotspots and trends of remote sensing research in agriculture in the past 20 years based on literatures of remote sensing research in agriculture in CNKI database from 1997 to 2016. Through the analysis of cooperation map, cluster map and key words map of specific institutions, the results showed that this research field was in a rapid development stage, the research institutions were significantly different and had clear hot topics. Through the analysis of institutional cooperation, it was found that the published paper number of CAS was the most, and key words analysis showed that the research focused on agricultural land change, remote sensing monitoring and precision agriculture. Finally, the application of remote sensing technology and geographic information system technology in land use, nuclear agronomy and bioscience would be the trend of the development in a long period of time.