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.

Non-grain cultivated land refers to other agricultural land, such as garden land, forest land, pasture and pond, which are transformed from the original cultivated land, due to the non-grain behavior. The cultivated function of non-grain cultivated land can be expected to restore, and then return to the cultivated land category. As such, the non-grain behavior can be used to implement the policy of dynamic "import and export balance" of cultivated land. The suitability evaluation model of non-grain cultivated land for the cultivated function recovery can be used to reasonably and accurately classify the cultivated function recovery suitability levels of non-grain cultivated land. The foundation can be offered for the scientific guidance of actual recovery work in the future. In this study, literature reference was selected to determine the level of model construction and the corresponding indicators. The entropy weight was used to determine the weights. Referred to the relevant regulations to determine the quantitative standards of indicators. The factor evaluation and weighted index sum were restricted to realize the evaluation using ArcGIS software. The suitability evaluation model was constructed in the non-grain cultivated land for the cultivated function recovery from three dimensions of production, ecology and economy, including 12 evaluation indicators. Taking Kangping County of Shenyang City as a case study, the results showed that there were outstanding spatial differences in the suitability of productive, ecological and economic conditions. There were some gaps under the suitability of productive conditions in the different parts of the county, indicating the generally excellent suitability of ecological and economic conditions. The comprehensive evaluation scores of suitable areas were calculated for the cultivated function recovery of non-grain cultivated land, with a range of [1.951, 3.201]. Among them, the evaluation scores of unsuitable areas were recorded as 0 points. The suitability grades of cultivated function recovery of non-grain cultivated land in Kangping County were divided into highly suitable, moderately suitable, low suitable, reluctantly suitable, and unsuitable. The average suitability level of non-grain cultivated land for the cultivated function recovery in each region reached the low suitability level and above. The low suitable and above grades of non-grain cultivated land area, accounted for 67.68%, most of which was arbor forest land. Few constraints were found in the suitability grade of cultivated function recovery. It was easier to implement the restoration projects. The proportion of reluctantly suitable non-grain cultivated land area was the largest among all grades, accounting for 32.30%. Most of them were other forest land, arbor forest land, and orchard. There were more constraints on the suitability of cultivated function recovery, indicating the more difficult implementation of restoration projects. The area of non-grain cultivated land unsuitable for recovery was the least, accounting for only 0.02% of the total area. All of them belonged to other forests with a slope greater than 25°. It was not suitable for the restoration of cultivated land, due to the steep slope. The improved model can be expected to make the classification of suitability grades for the cultivated function recovery of non-grain cultivated land more scientific. The work arrangement of time sequence and the project can be deployed for the cultivated function recovery of non-grain cultivated land in Kangping County of Shenyang City in the future.