In cropping systems, land serves as an operational foundation and an object of labor with productivity. The definition of land productivity can be a specific property—soil fertility, which proves land as an undisputed primary means of agricultural production that largely dictates the efficiency of crop production. The following study aimed to determine global trends, national challenges, and prospects for sustainable soil resources management in Central Asia. The research, comprising main theoretical concepts, especially involved problems of soil degradation. Comparative and correlation analysis of indicators and sub-indicators of the Global Food Security Index took place for the TOP 10 countries and Central Asian countries. These sought to determine the place of Central Asian countries in the world food security ranking, including the state of soil resources, and to establish the impact of the state of soil resources on food security. An expert survey succeeded in identifying relevant measures to manage the risks related to soil resources. The study concluded with proposed measures against soil resource risks. These responded with soil degradation, pollution, violation of the optimal land use ratio, and the unsatisfactory phytosanitary condition of crops, which can help prevent negative consequences for crop production in Central Asia.
Crop production, land resources, soil resources, soil degradation, sustainable management, state of soil resources, Central Asian countries
Based on the comparative analysis of Global Food Security Index (GFSI) indicators, the study identified soil degradation and low soil organic matter as the most critical constraints to crop production and food security in Central Asian countries. Expert assessment showed that integrated soil management measures—combining sustainable tillage, optimized crop rotations, soil remediation, and balanced land-use structure—can substantially reduce soil degradation risks and improve long-term crop productivity.