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Exploring the financial mechanisms of digital inclusion in promoting farmers’ income

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Listed:
  • Song, Qinyue
  • Yan, Mingyi
  • Shi, Zhengxin
  • Han, Zhenfu

Abstract

This study examines how digital financial inclusion (DFI) influences farmers’ income by facilitating industrial structure upgrading using panel data from 279 Chinese cities spanning 2011–2022. Employing fixed effects, instrumental variable, and threshold models, DFI significantly boosts rural income. Industrial upgrading is a crucial mechanism, and heterogeneity and threshold analyses reveal stronger effects in central and western regions, among lower-income populations, and at early and advanced DFI development stages. These findings emphasize the relevance of digital finance in promoting inclusive, sustainable, and finance-enabled rural development.

Suggested Citation

  • Song, Qinyue & Yan, Mingyi & Shi, Zhengxin & Han, Zhenfu, 2026. "Exploring the financial mechanisms of digital inclusion in promoting farmers’ income," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:92:y:2026:i:c:s1544612326001091
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2026.109578
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    References listed on IDEAS

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