IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/riibaf/v75y2025ics027553192500011x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Agricultural transformation: Exploring the impact of digitalization, technological innovation and climate change on food production

Author

Listed:
  • Chandio, Abbas Ali
  • Akram, Waqar
  • Min Du, Anna
  • Ahmad, Fayyaz
  • Tang, Xiaoping

Abstract

Agricultural transformation is crucial for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable food production has become a key driver of this transformation, with China playing a vital role as a major global food producer. We investigate the long- and short-term impacts of technological innovation (R&D investment), digitalization (Internet and mobile phone use), and temperature changes on food production in China. We confirm long-run equilibrium relationships between these variables using autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing. Findings indicate that the long-term usage of mobile phones and the Internet significantly increases food production. Similarly, long-term R&D expenditures significantly enhance food production, as long-term temperature increases reduce food production. Governments should facilitate information and communications technologies, research and development, and affordable financing to achieve food sustainability and adapt to climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Chandio, Abbas Ali & Akram, Waqar & Min Du, Anna & Ahmad, Fayyaz & Tang, Xiaoping, 2025. "Agricultural transformation: Exploring the impact of digitalization, technological innovation and climate change on food production," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:riibaf:v:75:y:2025:i:c:s027553192500011x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2025.102755
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027553192500011X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ribaf.2025.102755?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Romer, Paul M, 1986. "Increasing Returns and Long-run Growth," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 94(5), pages 1002-1037, October.
    2. Aker, Jenny C. & Ksoll, Christopher, 2016. "Can mobile phones improve agricultural outcomes? Evidence from a randomized experiment in Niger," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 44-51.
    3. Cheng, Xuanmei & Ye, Kaite & Min Du, Anna & Bao, Zhenzhen & Chlomou, Grigoria, 2024. "Dual carbon goals and renewable energy innovations," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(PB).
    4. Qianhui Ma & Shaofeng Zheng & Peng Deng, 2022. "Impact of Internet Use on Farmers’ Organic Fertilizer Application Behavior under the Climate Change Context: The Role of Social Network," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-19, September.
    5. Dai, Yun-Shi & Huynh, Ngoc Quang Anh & Zheng, Qing-Huan & Zhou, Wei-Xing, 2022. "Correlation structure analysis of the global agricultural futures market," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    6. M. Hashem Pesaran & Yongcheol Shin & Richard J. Smith, 2001. "Bounds testing approaches to the analysis of level relationships," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 16(3), pages 289-326.
    7. Song, Ying & Yang, Lu & Li, Lu, 2024. "A study on the impact mechanism of internet embedding on rural E-commerce entrepreneurship," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    8. J. Arbuckle & Linda Prokopy & Tonya Haigh & Jon Hobbs & Tricia Knoot & Cody Knutson & Adam Loy & Amber Mase & Jean McGuire & Lois Morton & John Tyndall & Melissa Widhalm, 2013. "Climate change beliefs, concerns, and attitudes toward adaptation and mitigation among farmers in the Midwestern United States," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 117(4), pages 943-950, April.
    9. Robert Engle & Clive Granger, 2015. "Co-integration and error correction: Representation, estimation, and testing," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 39(3), pages 106-135.
    10. Khan, Zaid Ashiq & Koondhar, Mansoor Ahmed & Tiantong, Ma & Khan, Aftab & Nurgazina, Zhanar & Tianjun, Liu & Fengwang, Ma, 2022. "Do chemical fertilizers, area under greenhouses, and renewable energies drive agricultural economic growth owing the targets of carbon neutrality in China?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    11. Mrinal SAIKIA & Prakash DAS & Disha NEOG, 2023. "Evolution of growth theory: from Harrod to Romer," Theoretical and Applied Economics, Asociatia Generala a Economistilor din Romania / Editura Economica, vol. 0(2(635), S), pages 125-138, Summer.
    12. Uris Lantz C Baldos & Frederi G Viens & Thomas W Hertel & Keith O Fuglie, 2019. "R&D Spending, Knowledge Capital, and Agricultural Productivity Growth: A Bayesian Approach," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 101(1), pages 291-310.
    13. Arega D. Alene, 2010. "Productivity growth and the effects of R&D in African agriculture," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 41(3‐4), pages 223-238, May.
    14. Affandi, Yoga & Ridhwan, Masagus M. & Trinugroho, Irwan & Hermawan Adiwibowo, Danny, 2024. "Digital adoption, business performance, and financial literacy in ultra-micro, micro, and small enterprises in Indonesia," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(PB).
    15. Ruhul A. Salim & Nazrul Islam, 2010. "Exploring the impact of R&D and climate change on agricultural productivity growth: the case of Western Australia ," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 54(4), pages 561-582, October.
    16. Alba Vázquez-López & Martín Barrasa-Rioja & Manuel Marey-Perez, 2021. "ICT in Rural Areas from the Perspective of Dairy Farming: A Systematic Review," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-18, April.
    17. Adetutu, Morakinyo O. & Ajayi, Victor, 2020. "The impact of domestic and foreign R&D on agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    18. Xiaolan Fu & Shaheen Akter, 2016. "The Impact of Mobile Phone Technology on Agricultural Extension Services Delivery: Evidence from India," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(11), pages 1561-1576, November.
    19. Philip G. Pardey & Connie Chan-Kang & Steven P. Dehmer & Jason M. Beddow, 2016. "Agricultural R&D is on the move," Nature, Nature, vol. 537(7620), pages 301-303, September.
    20. Chai, Yuan & Pardey, Philip G. & Chan-Kang, Connie & Huang, Jikun & Lee, Kyuseon & Dong, Wanlu, 2019. "Passing the food and agricultural R&D buck? The United States and China," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 1-1.
    21. Li, Yuchen & Jin, Guangyi & Cui, Zhehao & Lv, Bishun & Xu, Zhejun, 2024. "Does digital inclusive finance promote regional green inclusive growth?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 62(PB).
    22. Romer, Paul M, 1990. "Endogenous Technological Change," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 98(5), pages 71-102, October.
    23. Wolfert, Sjaak & Ge, Lan & Verdouw, Cor & Bogaardt, Marc-Jeroen, 2017. "Big Data in Smart Farming – A review," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 69-80.
    24. Huaquan Zhang & Abbas Ali Chandio & Fan Yang & Yashuang Tang & Martinson Ankrah Twumasi & Ghulam Raza Sargani, 2022. "Modeling the Impact of Climatological Factors and Technological Revolution on Soybean Yield: Evidence from 13-Major Provinces of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-16, May.
    25. Hua, Mingzhong & Li, Zhe & Zhang, Yudong & Wei, Xiaobei, 2024. "Does green finance promote green transformation of the real economy?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(PB).
    26. Wanglin Ma & Peng Nie & Pei Zhang & Alan Renwick, 2020. "Impact of Internet use on economic well‐being of rural households: Evidence from China," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(2), pages 503-523, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Maha Kalai & Nahed Zghidi, 2019. "Foreign Direct Investment, Trade, and Economic Growth in MENA Countries: Empirical Analysis Using ARDL Bounds Testing Approach," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 10(1), pages 397-421, March.
    2. Ronald Ravinesh Kumar & Peter Josef Stauvermann & Nikeel Kumar & Syed Jawad Hussain Shahzad, 2019. "Exploring the effect of ICT and tourism on economic growth: a study of Israel," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 52(3), pages 221-254, August.
    3. Kumar, Saten & Pacheco, Gail, 2012. "What determines the long run growth rate in Kenya?," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 705-718.
    4. Eléazar Zerbo, 2015. "What determines the long-run growth in Sub-Saharan Africa? Exploring the role of energy, trade openness and financial development in six countries," Working Papers hal-01238524, HAL.
    5. Belloumi, Mounir, 2014. "The relationship between trade, FDI and economic growth in Tunisia: An application of the autoregressive distributed lag model," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 269-287.
    6. Fakhri J. Hasanov & Elchin Suleymanov & Heyran Aliyeva & Hezi Eynalov & Sa'd Shannak, 2022. "What Drives the Agricultural Growth in Azerbaijan? Insights from Autometrics with Super Saturation," Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Mendel University Press, vol. 70(3), pages 147-174.
    7. Hui Yang & Jingye Li & Stefan Sieber & Kaisheng Long, 2025. "Does Digital Village Construction Affect the Sustainable Intensification of Cultivated Land Use? Evidence from Rural China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-24, April.
    8. Lawrence U. Okoye & Alexander E. Omankhanlen & Johnson I. Okoh & Ngozi B. Adeleye & Felix N. Ezeji & Gideon K. Ezu & Benjamin I. Ehikioya, 2021. "Analyzing the Energy Consumption and Economic Growth Nexus in Nigeria," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(1), pages 378-387.
    9. repec:rza:wpaper:029 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Dakpogan, Arnaud & Smit, Eon, 2018. "The effect of electricity losses on GDP in Benin," MPRA Paper 89545, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Kanayo Ogujiuba & Ntombifuthi Mngometulu, 2022. "Does Social Investment Influence Poverty and Economic Growth in South Africa: A Cointegration Analysis?," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-23, September.
    12. Arshia Amiri & Ulf-G Gerdtham, 2012. "Granger Causality Between Exports, Imports and GDP in France: Evidance from Using Geostatistical Models," Economic Research Guardian, Mutascu Publishing, vol. 2(1), pages 43-59, May.
    13. Utku Utkulu & Durmus Özdemir, 2005. "Does Trade Liberalization Cause a Long Run Economic Growth in Turkey," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 245-266, September.
    14. Frank Gyimah Sackey & Emmanuel Orkoh & Mohammed Musah, 2024. "Investigating the impact of institutional quality under the petroleum price deregulation policy regime on the economic growth of Ghana," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 4(11), pages 1-21, November.
    15. Maha Kalai & Hamdi Becha & Kamel Helali, 2024. "Effect of artificial intelligence on economic growth in European countries: a symmetric and asymmetric cointegration based on linear and non-linear ARDL approach," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 13(1), pages 1-37, December.
    16. Innocent .U. Duru & Bartholomew .O.N. Okafor & Millicent Adanne Eze & Gabriel .O. Ebenyi, 2020. "Foreign Aid and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria," Growth, Asian Online Journal Publishing Group, vol. 7(1), pages 35-50.
    17. Ethem Esen & Merve Çelik Keçili, 2022. "Economic Growth and Health Expenditure Analysis for Turkey: Evidence from Time Series," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(3), pages 1786-1800, September.
    18. Saten Kumar & Gail Pacheco, 2010. "What Determines the Long run Growth in Kenya?," EERI Research Paper Series EERI_RP_2010_16, Economics and Econometrics Research Institute (EERI), Brussels.
    19. Nor Salwati Othman & Nurul Hezlin Mohamed Hariri, 2021. "Estimating the Causality and Elasticities of Residential Electricity Consumption for Malaysia," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(6), pages 335-346.
    20. Bolor Khurelchuluun & Liang Cao & Wenshou Yan, 2023. "The Impact of Trade Openness on Economic Growth in Landlocked Developing Countries," International Journal of Science and Business, IJSAB International, vol. 28(1), pages 84-97.
    21. Michael McAleer & Ha Minh Nguyen & Ngoc Hoang Bui & Duc Hong Vo, 2019. "Energy Consumption and Economic Growth: Evidence from Vietnam," Journal of Reviews on Global Economics, Lifescience Global, vol. 8, pages 350-361.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:riibaf:v:75:y:2025:i:c:s027553192500011x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ribaf .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.