Digital Technology’s Influence on Boosting Rice Growers’ Feasible Capacity of Green Production in Sichuan, China

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocate a primary emphasis on environmental protection, the significant levels of pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases stemming from agricultural activities frequently escape notice. It is imperative to expedite the shift towards green agricultural production methods in China. Sichuan Province, being a strategic hub and a prominent rice-producing region, must prioritize the adoption of green farming practices to safeguard food security. To address the sluggish progress in promoting green rice production in Sichuan, amidst the widespread application of digital technology enhancing convenience in production and life, integrating digital technology into green rice production is urgently needed. Such integration is pivotal for driving the transformation and upgrading of the region's agriculture towards sustainable development. Drawing from the group’s 2023 field research data on rice farmers in Sichuan, this paper employs SPSS 25.0 and Stata 17.0 to analyze empirical findings. Building upon existing literature, we utilize OLS regression to delve into the mechanisms underlying digital technology adoption and assess the feasibility of rice farmers’ green production practices. The findings highlight: (1) A marked positive correlation exists between digital technology adoption and rice farmers’ ability to engage in green production. (2) The depth of digital technology application has a notable positive impact on the feasibility of green rice production for farmers. Greater depth in its application amplifies the beneficial effects on transparency, social conditions, and economic well-being of rice farmers. (3) Reliance on production outsourcing services negatively moderates the positive impact of digital technology on feasible capacity of green production among rice farmers. The application of digital technology can significantly bolster rice farmers’ feasible capability for green production. Local governments must prioritize enhancing farmers’ digital literacy and optimizing their operational environments to foster greater green production capacity. This will help diminish disparities in green practices across individuals and regions, thereby promoting sustainable green rice production in Sichuan Province.