Advancing soil security through international scientific collaboration in Indonesia

This study explores the evolution of soil science research in Indonesia as a representative case of tropical agriculture in Southeast Asia over the past 25 years. Our study focuses on the role of international collaboration in shaping research output, practical application, and thematic priorities. We searched for the keywords “soil” and “Indonesia” and conducted a bibliometric analysis of 3,887 Scopus-indexed publications from 2000 to 2024. The study reveals a 10.6% annual growth in publication output, a substantial rise in international co-authorship (37.89%), and a diversification of research partners and topics. Collaborations on knowledge exchange, capacity building, and increased research output with countries such as Japan, Germany, the United States, and Australia are the most dominant, although spatial and institutional imbalances persist, dominated by research centers and universities located in Java and Sumatra. Research themes have shifted from classical soil classification to applied topics such as climate change adaptation, carbon sequestration, agroforestry, and precision agriculture that align with national and global agendas. The analysis also identifies underrepresented regions such as Kalimantan and Papua, due to limited institutional presence, access, and funding; and disciplinary gaps, such as in urban soil science and policy integration, which remain less developed due to differing interests and institutional priorities. This paper highlights the need for more inclusive, equitable, and strategic international partnerships, including both transdisciplinary and multi-country collaborations, in environmental research to enhance soil research capacity, inform sustainable land use decisions, and position Indonesia as a leader in tropical soil science. • Analyzed 25 years of soil science trend research in Indonesia • International collaboration increases output and citation impact • Shift from soil basics to climate and sustainable agriculture topics • Five countries lead in co-authorship with Indonesia • Policy research supports international soil publications in Indonesia