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Influence of Digital Literacy on Farmers’ Adoption Behavior of Low-Carbon Agricultural Technology: Chain Intermediary Role Based on Capital Endowment and Adoption Willingness

Author

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  • Yanmei Yuan

    (College of Economics and Management, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
    Faculty of General Education, Taishan College of Science and Technology, Tai’an 271038, China)

  • Le Sun

    (College of Economics and Management, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China)

  • Zongyun She

    (College of Economics and Management, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China)

  • Shengwei Chen

    (College of Economics and Management, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
    School of Economics, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China)

Abstract

Farmers are the key adopters of low-carbon agricultural technologies, and their adoption behavior is crucial for achieving the “dual carbon” goals. However, how digital literacy influences farmers’ technology adoption remains underexplored. Based on survey data from 742 farmers in Shandong Province, this study employs an ordered Logit model to examine the impact of digital literacy on the adoption of low-carbon agricultural technologies, as well as the mediating effects of capital endowment and adoption willingness, along with their heterogeneity. The results indicate that digital literacy significantly promotes farmers’ adoption of low-carbon agricultural technologies, but its effects vary across different technology types. Information acquisition literacy and security literacy have a greater impact on data-driven technologies (water-saving irrigation and soil testing-based fertilization), while content creation literacy and problem-solving literacy play a more significant role in knowledge-based technologies (integrated pest management). Mechanism analysis reveals that capital endowment and adoption willingness function as independent mediators, with a significant chain mediation effect between them. Furthermore, different dimensions of capital endowment exert heterogeneous influences on technology adoption: human and material capital primarily influence conservation tillage and water-saving irrigation, social capital facilitates integrated pest management, and economic capital plays a crucial role in water-saving irrigation adoption. Based on these findings, this study recommends enhancing farmers’ digital literacy, optimizing capital endowment structures, strengthening market mechanisms, and establishing demonstration bases to accelerate the widespread adoption of low-carbon agricultural technologies and contribute to the realization of the “dual carbon” goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanmei Yuan & Le Sun & Zongyun She & Shengwei Chen, 2025. "Influence of Digital Literacy on Farmers’ Adoption Behavior of Low-Carbon Agricultural Technology: Chain Intermediary Role Based on Capital Endowment and Adoption Willingness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-21, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:2187-:d:1604336
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bo Liu & Jing Zhou, 2023. "Digital Literacy, Farmers’ Income Increase and Rural Internal Income Gap," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-13, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiyang Yin & Wanyi Li & Shuyu Tang & Yanjiao Li & Jianhua Zhao & Pengpeng Tian, 2025. "Pathways Through Which Digital Technology Use Facilitates Farmers’ Adoption of Green Agricultural Technologies: A Comprehensive Study Based on Grounded Theory and Empirical Testing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-23, October.
    2. Wei Hou & Qianwen Yang & Yipei Cao & Lei Luo & Jingyi Ding & Qilin Wang & Jun Wei & Hai Ma, 2025. "Impact of Ecological Education on University Students’ Environmentally Sustainable Behavior—Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-27, July.

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