Understanding the structural imbalance in non-grain land Utilization: Insights from China's arable land policy

Abstract

For populous nations, a comprehensive assessment and effective management of cultivated land structure are essential for ensuring stable grain production and sustaining the global grain market. This research defines non-grain land as cultivated areas not used for staple grain crops (rice, wheat, and maize) and examines its conversion processes and interactions with grain land over the past two decades under the influence of policy, natural conditions, and socio-economic factors. Key findings include: (1) Non-grain land experienced a dual decline in quantity (19.71 %) and productivity (25.40 %), highlighting the limitations of current non-grain land management policies in addressing sustainability. (2) The most pronounced decrease occurred in major grain production areas, where the proportion of non-grain land fell from 0.63 % to 0.54 %, accounting for 92 % of the nationwide reduction. In production-consumption balance areas, the proportion moderately declined from 0.76 % to 0.69 %, while major consumption areas saw a slight increase from 0.63 % to 0.65 %. (3) Regional conversions in non-grain utilization of cultivated land exhibit strong policy alignment and synergy with national farmland protection and food security strategies, reflecting the trend of regional specialization in grain production. This study underscores the pressing need for data-driven, region-specific policies to optimize cultivated land use, enhance sustainable productivity, and provide strategic guidance for nations facing food supply-demand imbalances on a global scale.