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

Wang Yaohong, R. B. Radin Firdaus (), Jiaqing Xu (), Nasrullah Dharejo and Gui Jun
Additional contact information
Wang Yaohong: Economic, Shanxi Institute of Energy, Jinzhong 030600, China
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
Gui Jun: Department of Media and Communication Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-21

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.

Keywords: rural revitalization policy; sustainable development; poverty alleviation; food security; agricultural modernization; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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