The impact of digital economy on agricultural green total factor productivity: evidence from the quasi-natural experiment of the “Broadband China” Strategy

IntroductionThe empowerment of agricultural green transformation through the digital economy has emerged as a critical pathway toward sustainable development.MethodsUtilizing panel data from 286 Chinese cities spanning from 2011 to 2023, this study employs the “Broadband China” Strategy as a quasi-n...

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Main Authors: Luanfeng Wang, Yuhui Cai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1607567/full
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author Luanfeng Wang
Yuhui Cai
author_facet Luanfeng Wang
Yuhui Cai
author_sort Luanfeng Wang
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe empowerment of agricultural green transformation through the digital economy has emerged as a critical pathway toward sustainable development.MethodsUtilizing panel data from 286 Chinese cities spanning from 2011 to 2023, this study employs the “Broadband China” Strategy as a quasi-natural experiment to construct a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model. We examine the impact of the digital economy (DE) on agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP), while also exploring its underlying mechanisms, heterogeneous characteristics, and spatial spillover effects.ResultsThe findings reveal the following: (1) The DE significantly enhances AGTFP. (2) This enhancement is driven by green technology innovation, environmental regulation, and financial development. (3) The impact of DE on AGTFP varies across natural geographical factors and socio-economic factors. (4) Positive spatial spillover effects are observed in the impact of DE on AGTFP.DiscussionThis study highlights that to achieve sustainable agricultural growth, it is crucial to continuously promote rural digital economy development, leverage financial instruments to support agricultural green transformation, implement region-specific development strategies, and strengthen inter-regional cooperation and communication.
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spelling doaj-art-347dfbab651f4634b1a5d4eae0d0bfbb2025-08-20T03:45:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2025-07-01910.3389/fsufs.2025.16075671607567The impact of digital economy on agricultural green total factor productivity: evidence from the quasi-natural experiment of the “Broadband China” StrategyLuanfeng WangYuhui CaiIntroductionThe empowerment of agricultural green transformation through the digital economy has emerged as a critical pathway toward sustainable development.MethodsUtilizing panel data from 286 Chinese cities spanning from 2011 to 2023, this study employs the “Broadband China” Strategy as a quasi-natural experiment to construct a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model. We examine the impact of the digital economy (DE) on agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP), while also exploring its underlying mechanisms, heterogeneous characteristics, and spatial spillover effects.ResultsThe findings reveal the following: (1) The DE significantly enhances AGTFP. (2) This enhancement is driven by green technology innovation, environmental regulation, and financial development. (3) The impact of DE on AGTFP varies across natural geographical factors and socio-economic factors. (4) Positive spatial spillover effects are observed in the impact of DE on AGTFP.DiscussionThis study highlights that to achieve sustainable agricultural growth, it is crucial to continuously promote rural digital economy development, leverage financial instruments to support agricultural green transformation, implement region-specific development strategies, and strengthen inter-regional cooperation and communication.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1607567/fulldigital economyagricultural green total factor productivity“Broadband China” Strategydifference-in-differences modelfinancial development
spellingShingle Luanfeng Wang
Yuhui Cai
The impact of digital economy on agricultural green total factor productivity: evidence from the quasi-natural experiment of the “Broadband China” Strategy
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
digital economy
agricultural green total factor productivity
“Broadband China” Strategy
difference-in-differences model
financial development
title The impact of digital economy on agricultural green total factor productivity: evidence from the quasi-natural experiment of the “Broadband China” Strategy
title_full The impact of digital economy on agricultural green total factor productivity: evidence from the quasi-natural experiment of the “Broadband China” Strategy
title_fullStr The impact of digital economy on agricultural green total factor productivity: evidence from the quasi-natural experiment of the “Broadband China” Strategy
title_full_unstemmed The impact of digital economy on agricultural green total factor productivity: evidence from the quasi-natural experiment of the “Broadband China” Strategy
title_short The impact of digital economy on agricultural green total factor productivity: evidence from the quasi-natural experiment of the “Broadband China” Strategy
title_sort impact of digital economy on agricultural green total factor productivity evidence from the quasi natural experiment of the broadband china strategy
topic digital economy
agricultural green total factor productivity
“Broadband China” Strategy
difference-in-differences model
financial development
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1607567/full
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