Emerging Idle Land Issues and Challenges in Malaysia: A Review on the Implications for National Food Security

Idle land presents a critical yet often overlooked issue in the context of global food security. Understanding this issue is vital for managing unutilized land resources to enhance our national food stability. This study aims to investigate the challenges and implications of idle agricultural land on food production and availability in Malaysia. The importance of this study lies in its potential to bridge a significant gap in the literature by examining why agricultural lands remain idle and how these lands can be utilized more effectively. Based on a scoping review methodology, this research synthesizes existing literature according to past studies to identify the key reasons for land idleness. The findings reveal several significant barriers to land utilization. These reasons include economic constraints, social barriers, and environmental challenges. Additionally, environmental factors like soil degradation and climate change also play a crucial role in keeping land stay idle. Thus, key issues such as land tenure problems, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-economic constraints are also highlighted. This study contributes to the academic discourse by providing a nuanced understanding of the factors preventing the effective use of land especially on agricultural land that will impact to our food production and food security. In conclusion, the practical implications of this study emphasize the need for policy interventions and strategic planning. By unlocking the potential of idle lands, targeted policies could significantly mitigate food insecurity and promote sustainable agricultural practices.