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Does the Application of ICTs Improve the Efficiency of Agricultural Carbon Reduction? Evidence from Broadband Adoption in Rural China

Author

Listed:
  • Pan Rao

    (School of Management and Economics, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China)

  • Xiaojin Liu

    (School of Management and Economics, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China)

  • Shubin Zhu

    (Institute of Rural Development, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China)

  • Xiaolan Kang

    (Institute of Rural Development, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China)

  • Xinglei Zhao

    (School of Management and Economics, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China)

  • Fangting Xie

    (College of Economics and Management, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
    Research Academy for Rural Revitalization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China)

Abstract

Based on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, this paper examines whether rural broadband adoption affects agricultural carbon reduction efficiency (ACRE), using panel data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2019. This paper achieves a measurement of ACRE by taking the carbon sink of agricultural as one of the desired outputs and using a Slacks-Based Measure (SBM) model and the global Malmquist–Luenberger (GML) index. The results show that: (1) Rural broadband adoption has a positive effect on ACRE. The relationship between the income of rural residents and ACRE was an inverted U-shaped, which confirms the EKC hypothesis. (2) Land transfer has a significant promoting effect on the relationship between rural broadband adoption and ACRE. When the land transfer rate is high, the positive effect of broadband adoption is obvious. (3) The positive effect of broadband adoption on ACRE was more obvious when farmers invested more in production equipment, that is to say, it has a significant positive moderating effect. As farmers in many developing countries suffer from increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events, we believe that the results of this study also have implications for the implementation of agricultural carbon reduction and smart agricultural equipment roll-out in many countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Pan Rao & Xiaojin Liu & Shubin Zhu & Xiaolan Kang & Xinglei Zhao & Fangting Xie, 2022. "Does the Application of ICTs Improve the Efficiency of Agricultural Carbon Reduction? Evidence from Broadband Adoption in Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:7844-:d:848314
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