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Introduction: The rapid advancement of digital technology has catalyzed the emergence of "digital villages," presenting both new opportunities and challenges for the digital transformation of agriculture. This transformation has become a core driving force behind sustainable agricultural development. This paper utilizes panel data from 30 provincial-level administrative regions of mainland China (excluding Tibet) for the period 2011 to 2020 to explore how digital rural development (DRD) impacts agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP) and examines its underlying mechanisms. Methods: Regarding variable measurement, the study employs the entropy weighting method to quantify the DRD and uses an extended Data Envelopment Analysis-Malmquist model to assess AGTFP. For the research approach, the study constructs a two-way fixed effects model to evaluate the impact of DRD on AGTFP and explores the underlying mechanisms. Specifically, the study conducts benchmark regression analysis, endogeneity tests, robustness tests, mechanism examinations, and heterogeneity tests. Results: (1) DRD significantly enhances AGTFP, a conclusion that remains robust following the province-year clustering robust standard error estimates, winsorization tests, and excluding COVID-19-affected years. (2) Mechanistic analysis indicates that DRD primarily boosts AGTFP by promoting the development of digital inclusive finance (DIF) and facilitating the integration of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries (IPST). (3) Heterogeneity tests show that the positive impact of DRD on AGTFP is more pronounced in regions with higher levels of informatization and central regions of China. Discussion: To harness DRD's potential more effectively in fostering sustainable agricultural development, policymakers should concentrate on DIF and the IPST. Additionally, the government should pay close attention to disparities in informatization levels and resource allocation across regions and develop targeted strategies accordingly. Fundamentally, this study aims to elucidate China's efficacy in rural digitalization and the green transformation of agriculture to an international audience. It seeks to provide insights and guidance on formulating more scientific, efficient, and sustainable strategies for agricultural development worldwide, thereby promoting green agricultural growth and supporting rural revitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital economy has introduced new ideas and methods for the high-quality development of agriculture, becoming a driving force for enhancing agricultural production efficiency. This manuscript utilizes balanced panel data from 1,503 counties and employs the three-stage DEA-Malmquist method to measure agricultural total factor productivity (hereinafter referred to as ATFP). Fixed effect models and mediation models are used to explore the impact and mechanisms of digital rural development on ATFP. The research findings indicate that both ATFP and digital rural development are increasing, although regional disparities exist. The eastern region has higher levels of digital rural development and ATFP compared to the central and western regions. Analysis using fixed effect models and mediation models shows that digital rural development has a significant positive effect on ATFP during the sample period, with rural inclusive finance and human capital playing a mediating role. The impact of digital rural development on ATFP varies across regions. It is more prominent in main grain-producing and main grain-consuming areas, and less significant in balanced production and consumption areas. Geographically, the impact is stronger in the eastern region than in the central and western regions. When categorized by the type of agricultural production, the impact is significant in livestock areas, while relatively smaller in planting industry areas. Based on these findings, it is recommended that local areas tailor their approach to digital rural construction and formulate agricultural production policies that leverage regional strengths and address weaknesses. Additionally, promoting the development of rural inclusive finance, cultivating digital talent, improving talent introduction policies, and expanding the rural digital talent pool are suggested to build momentum for agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThe rapid advancement of digital technology has catalyzed the emergence of “digital villages,” presenting both new opportunities and challenges for the digital transformation of agriculture. This transformation has become a core driving force behind sustainable agricultural development. This paper utilizes panel data from 30 provincial-level administrative regions of mainland China (excluding Tibet) for the period 2011 to 2020 to explore how digital rural development (DRD) impacts agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP) and examines its underlying mechanisms.MethodsRegarding variable measurement, the study employs the entropy weighting method to quantify the DRD and uses an extended Data Envelopment Analysis-Malmquist model to assess AGTFP. For the research approach, the study constructs a two-way fixed effects model to evaluate the impact of DRD on AGTFP and explores the underlying mechanisms. Specifically, the study conducts benchmark regression analysis, endogeneity tests, robustness tests, mechanism examinations, and heterogeneity tests.Results(1) DRD significantly enhances AGTFP, a conclusion that remains robust following the province-year clustering robust standard error estimates, winsorization tests, and excluding COVID-19-affected years. (2) Mechanistic analysis indicates that DRD primarily boosts AGTFP by promoting the development of digital inclusive finance (DIF) and facilitating the integration of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries (IPST). (3) Heterogeneity tests show that the positive impact of DRD on AGTFP is more pronounced in regions with higher levels of informatization and central regions of China.DiscussionTo harness DRD’s potential more effectively in fostering sustainable agricultural development, policymakers should concentrate on DIF and the IPST. Additionally, the government should pay close attention to disparities in informatization levels and resource allocation across regions and develop targeted strategies accordingly. Fundamentally, this study aims to elucidate China’s efficacy in rural digitalization and the green transformation of agriculture to an international audience. It seeks to provide insights and guidance on formulating more scientific, efficient, and sustainable strategies for agricultural development worldwide, thereby promoting green agricultural growth and supporting rural revitalization.

The infusion of digital technologies imparts impetus to the development of agricultural circular economy. Study focuses on the nexus of digital rural development, agricultural circular economy growth, employing entropy, Critic, and TOPSIS models to calculate the evolution of agricultural circular economy from 2011 to 2021. Furthermore, the temporal and spatial dynamics of agricultural circular economy development are explored. In addition, spatial Durbin models and threshold models are utilized to explore the spatial spillover effects of digital rural development on agricultural circular economy, and the threshold characteristics of agricultural circular economy with varying levels of digital rural development. The research findings reveal that arable land area, forest coverage, and mechanization play pivotal roles in shaping the trajectory of rural circular economy development. The synthetical index of rural circular economy development shows a consistent yearly increment, yet pronounced regional disparities exist, reflecting an olive-shaped distribution with dual cores in Heilongjiang and Chongqing and a more prominent central. The implementation of digital rural not only elevates the local agricultural circular economy, but also demonstrates conspicuous spatial spillover effects on neighboring regions. The relationship between digital rural development and agricultural circular economy growth is characterized by a singular threshold effect. Pre- and postthreshold, the promotive impact of digital rural development rises from 0.048 to 0.058. Building upon these findings, policy recommendations are formulated to guide future endeavors in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]