IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i5p2227-d1605139.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

How Does the Growth of Digital Technology Influence Farmland Abandonment? Evidence from Rural China

Author

Listed:
  • Kangjian Zhou

    (College of Management, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China)

  • Xungang Zheng

    (College of Management, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China)

Abstract

Farmland abandonment has become a significant challenge in global agriculture, with the issue being particularly severe in China. This phenomenon not only threatens food security but also contributes to various environmental problems. The rise of digital technology offers new opportunities to address this pressing issue. This study systematically analyzes the impact of digital technology on farmland abandonment from a micro-level perspective, using a nationwide survey of 3409 households. A multi-dimensional indicator framework is developed, incorporating digital general technology, digital information exchange, and digital functionality. Empirical models, including IV-Probit and 2SLS, were employed to analyze the data. The results show that digital technology plays a significant role in reducing farmland abandonment by increasing farmers’ income levels and encouraging the adoption of agricultural production services. Specifically, the use of digital tools enhances farmers’ income, which in turn strengthens their willingness to continue farming. Moreover, it facilitates access to agricultural production services, lowering production costs and improving land-use efficiency. The study also finds that the impact of digital technology on farmland abandonment varies depending on factors such as terrain, urban-rural divides, and farmer types. The suppressive effect of digital technology on farmland abandonment is more pronounced in non-plain areas, non-suburban regions, and among full-time or part-time farmers. Based on these findings, the study recommends expanding digital infrastructure, streamlining land transfers, implementing region-specific support, and enhancing policy incentives to integrate digital technologies with agriculture, reducing farmland abandonment. These measures are intended to effectively curb farmland abandonment and foster sustainable agricultural development.

Suggested Citation

  • Kangjian Zhou & Xungang Zheng, 2025. "How Does the Growth of Digital Technology Influence Farmland Abandonment? Evidence from Rural China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:2227-:d:1605139
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/5/2227/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/5/2227/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Corbelle-Rico, Eduardo & Sánchez-Fernández, Patricio & López-Iglesias, Edelmiro & Lago-Peñas, Santiago & Da-Rocha, José-María, 2022. "Putting land to work: An evaluation of the economic effects of recultivating abandoned farmland," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    2. Chong Jiang & Wei Song, 2021. "Degree of Abandoned Cropland and Socioeconomic Impact Factors in China: Multi-Level Analysis Model Based on the Farmer and District/County Levels," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-25, December.
    3. Xiao Liu & Zhenyu Wang & Xiaoyan Han, 2024. "The Impact of Digital Literacy on Farmers’ Green Production Behavior: Mediating Effects Based on Ecological Cognition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-20, August.
    4. Xinglong Yang & Yunuo Wang & Xing Jin, 2024. "An Exploration of the Relationship Between Digital Village Construction and Agroecological Efficiency in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-21, November.
    5. Yang, Guiyu & Li, Shuoyang & Wang, Hao & Wang, Lin, 2022. "Study on agricultural cultivation development layout based on the matching characteristic of water and land resources in North China Plain," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    6. Chaofan Li & Guanqing Guo, 2022. "The Influence of Large-Scale Agricultural Land Management on the Modernization of Agricultural Product Circulation: Based on Field Investigation and Empirical Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-28, October.
    7. Ping Xue & Xinru Han & Yongchun Wang & Xiudong Wang, 2022. "Can Agricultural Machinery Harvesting Services Reduce Cropland Abandonment? Evidence from Rural China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-15, June.
    8. Xiaofan Zuo & Zhisheng Hong, 2022. "The Impact of Digital Technology on Land Rent-Out Behavior: Information Sharing or Exclusion?," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-19, July.
    9. Wang, Yahui & Yang, Aoxi & Li, Yuanqing & Yang, Qingyuan, 2023. "Effect of e-commerce popularization on farmland abandonment in rural China: Evidence from a large-scale household survey," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    10. Qingxia Peng & Dongqing Wu & Wenxiong Lin & Shuisheng Fan & Kai Su, 2024. "Land-Use Transitions and Its Driving Mechanism Analysis in Putian City, China, during 2000–2020," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-26, April.
    11. Li, Wei & He, Weiwei, 2024. "Revenue-increasing effect of rural e-commerce: A perspective of farmers' market integration and employment growth," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 482-493.
    12. Martinson Ankrah Twumasi & Bright Senyo Dogbe & Ernest Kwarko Ankrah & Zhao Ding & Yuansheng Jiang, 2023. "Assessing Financial Literacy and Farmland Abandonment Relationship in Ghana," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-18, February.
    13. Mao, Hui & Chai, Yujia & Shao, Xiaoxuan & Chang, Xue, 2024. "Digital extension and farmers' adoption of climate adaptation technology: An empirical analysis of China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    14. Liao, Liuwen & Long, Hualou & Gao, Xiaolu & Ma, Enpu, 2019. "Effects of land use transitions and rural aging on agricultural production in China’s farming area: A perspective from changing labor employing quantity in the planting industry," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    15. Liangmei Cai & Linping Wang & Manxiu Ning, 2022. "Farmers’ Livelihood Differentiation and Pesticide Application: Empirical Evidence from a Causal Mediation Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-12, July.
    16. Yanzi Li & Jiahui Xu & Fuqiang Liu & Xinshi Zhang, 2024. "Impact and Mechanism of Digital Information Selection on Farmers’ Ecological Production Technology Adoption: A Study on Wheat Farmers in China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-20, April.
    17. Jingkun Zhang & Wang Zhang, 2024. "The Impact Mechanism of Digital Rural Construction on Land Use Efficiency: Evidence from 255 Cities in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-28, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Zhixiong Liu & Yuheng Wei & Ruofan Liao & Jianxu Liu, 2025. "The Role of Agricultural Socialized Services in Mitigating Rural Labor Shortages: A Multi-Crop Analysis of Production Performance," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-39, May.

    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. Haoyuan Liu & Zhe Chen & Suyue Wen & Jizhou Zhang & Xianli Xia, 2025. "Impact of Digital Literacy on Farmers’ Adoption Behaviors of Green Production Technologies," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-23, January.
    2. Jinwei Lv & Xinyu Guo & Haiwei Jiang, 2025. "Rural E-Commerce and Income Inequality: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-32, May.
    3. Yangxiao Lu & Suhao Wei, 2024. "Outsourcing of Agricultural Machinery Operation Services and the Sustainability of Farmland Transfer Market: Promoting or Inhibiting?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Chao Zhang & Ruifa Hu, 2022. "Adoption of Direct Seeding, Yield and Fertilizer Use in Rice Production: Empirical Evidence from China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-15, September.
    5. Jingjing Wang & Jiabin Xu & Silin Chen, 2025. "Internet Use, Social Capital, and Farmers’ Green Production Behavior: Evidence from Agricultural Cooperatives in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-21, January.
    6. Tingting Li & Hongwei Lu & Qiyou Luo & Guojing Li & Mingjie Gao, 2024. "The Impact of Rural Population Aging on Agricultural Cropping Structure: Evidence from China’s Provinces," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-19, April.
    7. Wang, Weiwen & Gong, Jian & Wang, Ying & Shen, Yang, 2021. "Exploring the effects of rural site conditions and household livelihood capitals on agricultural land transfers in China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    8. Lei Niu & Lulu Yuan & Zhongmin Ding & Yifu Zhao, 2023. "How Do Support Pressure and Urban Housing Purchase Affect the Homecoming Decisions of Rural Migrant Workers? Evidence from Rural China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-28, July.
    9. Qingsheng Bi & Weiqiang Chen & Ling Li & Xiuli Wang & Enxiang Cai, 2022. "Agricultural Population Supported in Rural Areas under Traditional Planting Mode Based on Opportunity Cost Analysis," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-15, August.
    10. Yang Liu & Jiajun Qiao & Jie Xiao & Dong Han & Tao Pan, 2022. "Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Rural Revitalization and an Improvement Path: A Typical Old Revolutionary Cultural Area as an Example," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-24, October.
    11. Philbert Mperejekumana & Lei Shen & Shuai Zhong & Fabien Muhirwa & Assa Nsabiyeze & Jean Marie Vianney Nsigayehe & Anathalie Nyirarwasa, 2023. "Assessing the Capacity of the Water–Energy–Food Nexus in Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Burundi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-14, September.
    12. Ruisheng Li & Jiaoyan Chen & Dingde Xu, 2024. "The Impact of Agricultural Socialized Service on Grain Production: Evidence from Rural China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, May.
    13. Siyu Gong & Bo Wang & Zhigang Yu, 2022. "Whether the Use of the Internet Can Assist Farmers in Selecting Biopesticides or Not: A Study Based on Evidence from the Largest Rice-Producing Province in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-17, December.
    14. Owusu, Prince & Li, Zhiwen & Mensah, Isaac Adjei & Omari-Sasu, Akoto Yaw, 2025. "Consumer response to E-commerce service failure: Leveraging repurchase intentions through strategic recovery policies," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    15. Danhong Shen & Haimeng Liang & Wangfang Shi, 2023. "Rural Population Aging, Capital Deepening, and Agricultural Labor Productivity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-12, May.
    16. Liang, Han & Zhou, Yan & Cui, Yaoping & Dong, Jinwei & Gao, Zhenfei & Liu, Bailu & Xiao, Xiangming, 2024. "Is satellite-observed surface water expansion a good signal to China’s largest granary?," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
    17. Leghari, Shah Jahan & Han, Wenting & Soomro, Aijaz Ahmed & Shoukat, Muhammad Rizwan & Zain, Muhammad & Wei, Yichang & Xu, Qiang & Buriro, Mahmooda & Bhutto, Tofique Ahmed & Soothar, Rajesh Kumar & Lag, 2024. "Navigating water and nitrogen practices for sustainable wheat production by model-based optimization management systems: A case study of China and Pakistan," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    18. Qi Sun & Yunli Bai & Chao Fu & Xiangbo Xu & Mingxing Sun & Baodong Cheng & Linxiu Zhang, 2022. "Heterogeneous Effects of Skill Training on Rural Livelihoods around Four Biosphere Reserves in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-22, September.
    19. Gangjian Lin & Yuanshuo Xu, 2025. "Examining Municipal Procurement and Cooperation Networks in Smart Land Use Planning: The Yangtze River Delta Case," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-20, May.
    20. Yanfeng Jiang & Tiantian Wang & Yuli Xu, 2024. "Deciphering Land Use Transitions in Rural China: A Functional Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-21, June.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:2227-:d:1605139. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.