Connotation deconstruction, theoretical evolution, and efficiency enhancement pathways of high-standard farmland construction

This study aims to systematically clarify the trajectory and directions of high-standard farmland construction. A progressive analytical framework was also constructed for the “connotation deconstruction–theoretical evolution–practical pathways–effectiveness evaluation.” A systematic review was conducted on the theoretical analysis, the inductive–deductive approach, and systems reasoning. The results show that: (1) The connotation was expanded from a single engineering dimension to a four-dimensional framework of “resources–engineering–technology–institutions”. Simultaneously, the concept involved the resources, engineering measures, technical support, and institutional arrangements. Accordingly, the connotation of high-standard farmland construction was integrated in the multiple dimension, rather than a single project- or facility-oriented interpretation. (2) Land productivity, sustainable theory, and systems engineering were provided to explain the high-standard farmland construction from different perspectives. At the same time, current challenges remained on notably sufficient digital and intelligent transformation after ecological integration. While the existing theoretical and analytical frameworks were incorporated with the digitalization and intelligence-oriented transformation. The key supporting system was limited to effectively integrate ecological systems. (3) Three pathways were formed in practice: scaling-up construction with land fertility, eco-oriented water–soil coordination, and smart precision management. Different emphasis was put on the practical advancement, including the combination of large-scale construction with land fertility enhancement, the alignment of ecological orientation with water–soil coordination, and the integration of smart approaches with precise management. However, the evaluation system still exhibited a structural deficiency, with emphasis on static engineering indicators rather than dynamic effectiveness. As a result, existing evaluation tended to focus more on relatively static engineering metrics. (4) Prospects were proposed a breakthrough path using four-dimensional constructive collaboration among theory, technology, institutions, and evaluation. Specifically, digital twins and resilience models were integrated at the theoretical level, AI and blockchain at the technological level, thus promoting institutional innovations, such as cross-regional compensation and a “dual-track operation-and-maintenance” mechanism, and a dynamic evaluation on “production capacity–ecology–well-being”. Overall, a paradigm was also shifted from an “engineering-oriented” approach to “system governance.” The evolution of connotation was summarized to clarify the theoretical support and existing challenges, practical pathways, and the structural deficiency in effectiveness evaluation. The finding can provide a strong reference for theoretical research on the high-standard farmland in construction practice.