The interactions between financial development, productivity and growth have been extensively studied in the literature. However, their nature, directions and magnitudes remain unclear, and no consensus has been reached, notably in the agricultural sector. We conduct a state-of-the-art review of this topic and also present alternative environmental determinants (climate change and extreme event issues; water, soil and land management practices; waste management and circular economy) of agricultural productivity. In doing so, we show where this domain has fallen short on methodological approaches, while emphasizing the relevant feature characterizing this empirical debate. Moreover, we emphasize the heterogeneity of the linkages between financial development, productivity and growth across income groups. Along with prospects for future research, some policy recommendations are offered.