Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2026, 72(10):596-611 | DOI: 10.17221/263/2025-AGRICECON

Agricultural digitalisation, farmland-scale management and agroecological efficiency: Evidence from ChinaOriginal Paper

Fei Wang1,2, Jianguo Sun2, Dong Xue ORCID...3
1 Zhengzhou Business University, Zhengzhou, P.R. China
2 School of Economics, Henan University, Kaifeng, P.R. China
3 Institute of Urban and Ecological Civilization, Henan Academy of Social Sciences, Zhengzhou, P.R. China

This study examines how agricultural digitalisation affects agroecological efficiency, with the aim of informing the transition towards low-carbon, high-quality agricultural development. Using provincial panel data from China (2007–2022), we employ fixed-effects, spatial Durbin, and mediation models for empirical analysis. The results reveal three main findings: (i) The impact of agricultural digitalisation on agroecological efficiency presents a productivity paradox, characterised by a U-shaped relationship of initial suppression followed by promotion, a finding that remains robust after endogeneity is addressed and sensitivity checks are conducted. (ii) Agricultural digitalisation generates significant positive spatial spillover effects on neighbouring regions' agroecological efficiency. However, the realisation of these spillovers is contingent on the alignment between diffused technologies and local agricultural infrastructure. (iii) Farmland-scale management serves as a critical mediating channel. Furthermore, agricultural organisation – through stabilising profit expectations for scaled operators and facilitating land transfer through reduced tenure disputes – positively moderates the effective integration of digital technologies into agricultural practices. The findings suggest that digitally empowered sustainability goes beyond technological determinism. We recommend improving rural digital infrastructure, promoting land transfer, and reinforcing village-level collective economies to enhance agricultural organisation. Although it is geographically focused on China, this study offers theoretical and policy insights for advancing sustainable agriculture through digitalisation.

Keywords: digital technology applications in agriculture; agricultural production organisation; large-scale farming; agricultural sustainability; productivity paradox

Received: June 22, 2025; Revised: May 27, 2026; Accepted: June 1, 2026; Prepublished online: October 23, 2026; Published: October 29, 2026  Show citation

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Wang F, Sun J, Xue D. Agricultural digitalisation, farmland-scale management and agroecological efficiency: Evidence from China. Agricultural Economics. 2026;72(10):596-611. doi: 10.17221/263/2025-AGRICECON.
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