Soil erosion and food security in Asia’s most populous nations: a systematic review from China, India, and Indonesia

Abstract

Food security in Asia’s most populous nations, namely China, India, and Indonesia, is increasingly threatened by declining soil health and reduced land productivity. This study explores the extent to which land degradation, including topsoil loss and nutrient depletion, impacts agricultural output across these countries. A total of 1440 articles were retrieved from Scopus and ScienceDirect databases, and 39 were selected for detailed analysis based on PRISMA guidelines, focusing on the period from 2018 to 2025. A bibliometric analysis was also performed to evaluate the trends, research gaps, and emerging themes in the field of land degradation and soil health. The findings indicate that widespread degradation has significantly contributed to food production reduction particularly through erosion-induced yield losses, nutrient imbalance, and declining soil fertility. Region-specific challenges were identified: yield reduction in India’s intensively farmed plains, soil degradation in China’s mountainous zones, and land loss in Indonesia’s river-adjacent and upland areas. In response, the study proposes area-specific strategies tailored to the distinct needs of hilly regions, plains, and areas near rivers. However, implementation remains constrained by financial limitations, lack of technical support, and policy gaps. This study underscores the need for integrated soil restoration strategies, science-based monitoring, and context-driven policies to enhance sustainable food production. Addressing land degradation through a coordinated framework is essential for building resilient agricultural systems under increasing climate variability and population pressure.