barren land; sterile soil; wasteland
Refers to land that cannot support vegetation or agriculture, often used literally but also metaphorically for unproductive efforts or areas.
Crops won't grow on this barren land.
It was once a wasteland, but now it has become lush farmland.
不毛 (barren, unproductive) + の (possessive particle) + 地 (land). 不毛 is a Sino-Japanese compound meaning 'without hair/vegetation', extended to 'unproductive'.