Work

Rural e-commerce and agricultural total factor productivity: Evidence from China

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Employing the Comprehensive Demonstration ofE-commerce inRural Areas (CDERA) policy asaquasi-natural experiment, this paper explores the impact ofrural e-commerce development onagricultural total factor productivity (ATFP) and its underlying mechanisms, using adifference-in-differences model. The analysis utilises panel data from 1495 counties in China from 2001 to 2021. The findings indicate that the CDERA policy implementation enhanced ATFP in treated counties by approximately 1.6 percentage points compared to control counties, other factors being equal. Mechanism analysis further reveals that the CDERA policy enhances ATFP by improving agricultural technological efficiency and fostering agricultural industrial development. This study highlights the significant role of CDERA policy in enhancing agricultural productivity in China and offers policy insights for advancing rural e-commerce and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

Source: Agricultural Economics (Zemědělská ekonomika)

DOI: 10.17221/289/2024-agricecon

Authors: Jialong Zheng, Xintong Liang, Junkai Ma, Guangsi Li

Institutions: Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics

Language: English

Topic: Digitalization and Economic Development in Agriculture

Subfield: Strategy and Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, No poverty, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $609