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The Digital Economy and Agricultural Modernization in China: Measurement, Mechanisms, and Implications

Author

Listed:
  • Jie Guo

    (School of Management, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Jiahui Lyu

    (School of Management, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China)

Abstract

Promoting the progression of agricultural modernization and digital economy integration has introduced new opportunities and challenges for the advancement of China’s agriculture towards high-quality development. Based on panel data from 31 provinces in China from 2011 to 2020, we use the entropy method, coupling coordination model, spatial auto-correlation model, and obstacle model to explore the degree of coupling coordination and influencing factors of China’s digital economy and agricultural modernization. The results show the following. (1) China’s digital economy and agricultural modernization are underdeveloped on the whole, but they show a positive upward trajectory. The digital economy is outpacing the development of agricultural modernization, but the gap between the two is gradually narrowing. (2) The degree of coupling coordination between China’s digital economy and agricultural modernization shows an upward trend. Additionally, there is regional heterogeneity and uneven development of the coupling coordination, i.e., it is high in the eastern region and low in the western region, accompanied by strong spatial agglomeration and correlation. (3) The main obstacle to the progression of the digital economy is digital infrastructure, while the main obstacle to the progression of agricultural modernization is agricultural production capacity. Based on China’s national conditions, we should fully promote the role of the digital economy, explore plans and strategies for promoting the digital economy in differentiated areas, mitigate any imbalanced development, promote the coordinated development of the digital economy and agricultural modernization, and provide decision-making references for the implementation of a digitized China, as well as rural revitalization strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Jie Guo & Jiahui Lyu, 2024. "The Digital Economy and Agricultural Modernization in China: Measurement, Mechanisms, and Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-25, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:12:p:4949-:d:1411825
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Qi Jiang & Jizhi Li & Hongyun Si & Yangyue Su, 2022. "The Impact of the Digital Economy on Agricultural Green Development: Evidence from China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-22, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lei Zhan & Xiaoying Huang & Zihao Xu & Zhigang Huang, 2025. "Assessing the Coordination Development Level of Agricultural Economy and Ecology in China: Regional Disparities, Dynamics, and Barriers," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-32, January.
    2. Zhang, Shaohua & Chen, Rentao & Wu, Jian & Zhu, Ning, 2025. "Scale measurement and economic effect evaluation of smart agriculture in China," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    3. Gong, Binbin & Yang, Ning & Liu, Wenming, 2025. "How does the modernization of agriculture promote manufacturing firms' green transition?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    4. Lu, Futao & Xia, Xinqu & Wu, Yan, 2026. "Does digital inclusive finance influence the entry and exit of agro-processing enterprises? Evidence from China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 165-177.
    5. Qiong Wu & Chenyujing Yang & Xiaomeng Liang & Yongji Xue, 2026. "Exploring the influencing factors and applying practices for the coordinated integration of digital economy and agricultural systems: evidence from China," Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-36, March.

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