IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i2p569-d1565904.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

China’s Rural Revitalization Policy: A PRISMA 2020 Systematic Review of Poverty Alleviation, Food Security, and Sustainable Development Initiatives

Author

Listed:
  • Wang Yaohong

    (Economic, Shanxi Institute of Energy, Jinzhong 030600, China
    School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, George Town 11800, Malaysia)

  • R. B. Radin Firdaus

    (School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, George Town 11800, Malaysia)

  • Jiaqing Xu

    (Department of Media and Communication Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Nasrullah Dharejo

    (Department of Media and Communication Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
    Department of Media and Communication, Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur 65200, Pakistan)

  • Gui Jun

    (Department of Media and Communication Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
    Department of Internet and New Media, School of Communication and Design, Guangzhou Huali College, Guangzhou 511325, China)

Abstract

This systematic review evaluates China’s Rural Revitalization Policy, focusing on sustainable agriculture, food security, and poverty alleviation initiatives from 2010 to 2024. The study addresses critical gaps in understanding how these combined efforts impact long-term food security and ecological sustainability in impoverished areas, moving beyond the short-term outcomes often emphasized in existing literature. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we reviewed 33 peer-reviewed publications from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, employing bibliometric analyses in RStudio to assess citation patterns, collaboration networks, and thematic evolution. Our analysis reveals significant progress across three interconnected domains. First, poverty alleviation initiatives achieved a 12.3% reduction in rural poverty through integrated agricultural modernization and targeted support programs. Second, agricultural productivity increased by 9.8% through technological integration and sustainable farming practices, strengthening food security outcomes. Third, environmental sustainability improved notably, with a 15.7% increase in clean water access, demonstrating a successful balance between economic growth and ecological protection. China emerged as the largest contributor (15.2%) to research in this field, with substantial international collaboration (42.4% of publications involving cross-border co-authorship). Despite these achievements, significant regional disparities persist, particularly between eastern and western regions, where targeted interventions are needed. The findings highlight the need for regionally tailored approaches: eastern regions require focus on sustainable intensification, western regions need fundamental infrastructure development, and central regions would benefit from strengthened urban–rural linkages. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and researchers working on rural development initiatives while identifying areas requiring further research, particularly in long-term sustainability assessments and climate resilience strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang Yaohong & R. B. Radin Firdaus & Jiaqing Xu & Nasrullah Dharejo & Gui Jun, 2025. "China’s Rural Revitalization Policy: A PRISMA 2020 Systematic Review of Poverty Alleviation, Food Security, and Sustainable Development Initiatives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-21, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:2:p:569-:d:1565904
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/2/569/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/2/569/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Liangliang GAO & Cuiping MA & Junxia ZENG & Bin WANG & Yue LI, 2019. "How Did Poverty Reduction in China Contribute to the World? Viewing from the Implementation of the UN MDGs and SDGs," Chinese Journal of Urban and Environmental Studies (CJUES), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 7(01), pages 1-29, March.
    2. Rui Gu & Wei Zhang & Kevin Chen & Fengying Nie, 2023. "Can information and communication technologies contribute to poverty reduction? Evidence from poor counties in China," Information Technology for Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(1), pages 128-150, January.
    3. Bo Sun & Yongming Luo & Dianlin Yang & Jingsong Yang & Yuguo Zhao & Jiabao Zhang, 2023. "Coordinative Management of Soil Resources and Agricultural Farmland Environment for Food Security and Sustainable Development in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.
    4. Zhaoqi Zeng & Wenxiang Wu & Zhaolei Li & Yang Zhou & Han Huang, 2019. "Quantitative Assessment of Agricultural Drought Risk in Southeast Gansu Province, Northwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-21, October.
    5. Cecilia Rocha & Luciene Burlandy & Renato Maluf, 2012. "Small farms and sustainable rural development for food security: The Brazilian experience," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(4), pages 519-529, October.
    6. Chu Qin & Wei Zhang, 2022. "Green, poverty reduction and spatial spillover: an analysis from 21 provinces of China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(12), pages 13610-13629, December.
    7. Mingjun Cai & Bin Ouyang & Matthew Quayson, 2024. "Navigating the Nexus between Rural Revitalization and Sustainable Development: A Bibliometric Analyses of Current Status, Progress, and Prospects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-26, January.
    8. Roger R. B. Leakey & Marie-Louise Tientcheu Avana & Nyong Princely Awazi & Achille E. Assogbadjo & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Prasad S. Hendre & Ann Degrande & Sithabile Hlahla & Leonard Manda, 2022. "The Future of Food: Domestication and Commercialization of Indigenous Food Crops in Africa over the Third Decade (2012–2021)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-75, February.
    9. Maria Brony & Mumtaz Aini Alivi & Md Azalanshah Md Syed & Nasrullah Dharejo, 2024. "A Systematic Review on Social Media Health Communications and Behavioural Development among Indians in the COVID-19 Context," Studies in Media and Communication, Redfame publishing, vol. 12(2), pages 37-49, June.
    10. Yaoqi Zhang & Wei Geng & Yueqin Shen & Yanling Wang & Yu-Cheng Dai, 2014. "Edible Mushroom Cultivation for Food Security and Rural Development in China: Bio-Innovation, Technological Dissemination and Marketing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(5), pages 1-13, May.
    11. Racheal Akinola & Laura Maureen Pereira & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Francia-Marié de Bruin & Loubie Rusch, 2020. "A Review of Indigenous Food Crops in Africa and the Implications for more Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-30, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Nomfundo Shelembe & Simphiwe Innocentia Hlatshwayo & Albert Modi & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Mjabuliseni Simon Cloapas Ngidi, 2024. "The Association of Socio-Economic Factors and Indigenous Crops on the Food Security Status of Farming Households in KwaZulu-Natal Province," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Olegas Beriozovas & Dalia Perkumienė & Mindaugas Škėma & Abdellah Saoualih & Larbi Safaa & Marius Aleinikovas, 2024. "Research Advancement in Forest Property Rights: A Thematic Review over Half a Decade Using Natural Language Processing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-28, September.
    3. You, Heyuan & Zhang, Xiaoling, 2017. "Sustainable livelihoods and rural sustainability in China: Ecologically secure, economically efficient or socially equitable?," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 1-13.
    4. Phemelo Tamasiga & Helen Onyeaka & Adenike Akinsemolu & Malebogo Bakwena, 2023. "The Inter-Relationship between Climate Change, Inequality, Poverty and Food Security in Africa: A Bibliometric Review and Content Analysis Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-35, March.
    5. Zhao, Desen & Dou, Yao & Tong, Lu, 2022. "Effect of fiscal decentralization and dual environmental regulation on green poverty reduction: The case of China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    6. Weiss, Gerhard & Hansen, Eric & Ludvig, Alice & Nybakk, Erlend & Toppinen, Anne, 2021. "Innovation governance in the forest sector: Reviewing concepts, trends and gaps," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    7. Li Li & Yiting Dong & Wen Shuai, 2024. "Navigating Epidemics: the Interplay of Risk Perception, Information Diversity, and Healthy Eating Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(3), pages 14521-14545, September.
    8. Lindiwe M. Sibanda & Sithembile N. Mwamakamba, 2021. "Policy Considerations for African Food Systems: Towards the United Nations 2021 Food Systems Summit," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-15, August.
    9. Adam Płachciak & Jakub Marcinkowski, 2022. "Humanitarian Assistance in G5 Sahel: Social Sustainability Context of Macrologistics Potential," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-25, July.
    10. Renata Pozelli Sabio & Pascale Lehoux, 2022. "How Does Context Contribute to and Constrain the Emergence of Responsible Innovation in Food Systems? Results from a Multiple Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-19, June.
    11. Paola Sakai & Stavros Afionis & Nicola Favretto & Lindsay C. Stringer & Caroline Ward & Marco Sakai & Pedro Henrique Weirich Neto & Carlos Hugo Rocha & Jaime Alberti Gomes & Nátali Maidl de Souza & No, 2020. "Understanding the Implications of Alternative Bioenergy Crops to Support Smallholder Farmers in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-22, March.
    12. Hongmei Chen & Weipeng Chao & Zhen Xue & Hanlin Wei & Qing Li, 2024. "The Assessment of Green Poverty Reduction Strategies in Ecologically Fragile Areas: A Case Study of Southern Xinjiang in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-15, July.
    13. Zoliswa Mbhele & Godfrey Elijah Zharare & Clement Zimudzi & Nontuthuko Rosemary Ntuli, 2022. "Indigenous Knowledge on the Uses and Morphological Variation among Strychnos spinosa Lam. at Oyemeni Area, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-20, May.
    14. Achoja Roland Onomu, 2024. "Determinants of Indigenous Floral Foods’ Commercialization among Rural Households: The Outcome of Double and Triple Hurdles in Amathole District Rural Community," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-25, September.
    15. Mengyi Zhang & Peter Dannenberg, 2022. "Opportunities and Challenges of Indigenous Food Plant Farmers in Integrating into Agri-Food Value Chains in Cape Town," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-17, December.
    16. Linqing Fang & Zhihao Liu & Caiyu Jin, 2023. "How Does the Integration of Cultural Tourism Industry Affect Rural Revitalization? The Mediating Effect of New Urbanization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-22, July.
    17. Abiodun Olusola Omotayo & Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu, 2020. "Evaluation of Factors Influencing the Inclusion of Indigenous Plants for Food Security among Rural Households in the North West Province of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-19, November.
    18. Yinan Xu & Yingxing Zhao & Peng Sui & Wangsheng Gao & Zhijun Li & Yuanquan Chen, 2021. "Emergy-Based Evaluation on the Systemic Sustainability of Rural Ecosystem under China Poverty Alleviation and Rural Revitalization: A Case of the Village in North China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-16, July.
    19. Hongpeng Guo & Jia Chen & Chulin Pan, 2021. "Assessment on Agricultural Drought Vulnerability and Spatial Heterogeneity Study in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-17, April.
    20. Danièle Clavel & Hélène Guétat-Bernard & Eric O. Verger, 2023. "Intensified rice production negatively impacts plant biodiversity, diet, lifestyle and quality of life: transdisciplinary and gendered research in the Middle Senegal River Valley," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(2), pages 745-760, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:2:p:569-:d:1565904. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.