<p>The profundity of the term coated fertilizers is immeasurable because of the precedence it has in the field of agriculture and food industry worldwide. Coated porous fertilizers (CPFs) using bio-polymers are a branch of slow/controlled release fertilizers that have demonstrated a great deal of promise in the past 10 years to enhance performance in a range of technological applications. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive assessment of research progress on CPFs, focusing on their design, release mechanisms, and potential role in sustainable agriculture particularly nutrient use efficiency. To achieve this, a bibliometric approach was used to evaluate publication trends, research hotspots, and global collaboration patterns over the past decade, while a technical review examined coating materials, nutrient delivery systems, and release kinetics. Findings reveal that biodegradable polymers and bio-based materials used in CPF coatings significantly enhance nutrient use efficiency by enabling controlled release and minimizing nutrient losses. Engineered porous structures further improve targeted delivery, reduce leaching, and extend nutrient availability across crop growth stages. However, the analysis also highlights persistent challenges such as high production costs, formulation complexity, and the need for biosafety validation before widespread adoption. The implications of this study suggest that CPFs can play a pivotal role in addressing declining soil fertility and the environmental concerns linked to excessive use of conventional fertilizers. By integrating advances in materials science with agronomic practices, CPFs have the potential to contribute to global food security while promoting ecological sustainability. This review not only consolidates current knowledge but also identifies research gaps and practical bottlenecks, offering direction for future innovations in fertilizer technology.</p> GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT <p></p>