A study on the impact of ageing and agricultural infrastructure construction on the agricultural green total factor productivity

In an era marked by an ageing agricultural workforce and intensifying environmental pressures, agricultural infrastructure plays a crucial role in enhancing green productivity. This study investigates the impact of agricultural infrastructure construction and population ageing on agricultural green total factor productivity (agricultural GTFP), utilising provincial panel data from 2004 to 2022 in China. Our findings reveal that the agricultural infrastructure construction significantly boosts agricultural GTFP and significantly mitigates the negative effects of ageing on agricultural green production at the 0.01 level. Notably, different types of infrastructure exhibit varying impacts, with electricity and irrigation infrastructure demonstrating the most significant positive effects. We further identify a strong mediating effect of farmland transfer and agricultural mechanisation in facilitating infrastructure-driven agricultural GTFP growth. Our analysis reveals a pronounced regional heterogeneity, with non-food producing, central, western regions of China benefiting most from agricultural infrastructure investments. To address the challenges posed by ageing, we recommend giving priority to expanding agricultural infrastructure construction, fostering agricultural socialised services, and tailoring infrastructure programs to regional resource endowments. These strategies aim to compensate for labour shortages, enhance resource utilisation, and ultimately drive improvements in agricultural green productivity.