Accelerating agricultural green development in ASEAN: The power of digital inclusive finance

Agricultural green development is vital for sustainability in ASEAN, yet financial constraints hinder eco-friendly technology adoption. Digital inclusive finance can bridge this gap by enhancing financial access, fostering technological progress, and reducing exclusion; however, empirical research on its impact remains limited, leaving policymakers with little evidence to guide interventions. This study examines how digital inclusive finance promotes agricultural green development in ASEAN by improving financial inclusion and technological advancement, assessing the contributions of different digital finance dimensions to sustainable agricultural transformation. Using 2010–2023 provincial-level panel data, we integrate the Digital Inclusive Financial Index (DIFI) and apply a two-way fixed effects model with an instrumental variable approach to address endogeneity. Results show that a 10 % increase in digital inclusive finance is associated with a 0.13 unit increase in agricultural green development, significant at the 1 % level. Findings highlight that digital inclusive finance enhances sustainability by expanding financial access and accelerating technology adoption, with the strongest effects in major grain-producing regions. Broader digital finance coverage enables farmers to secure credit, invest in green technologies, and adopt sustainable practices. Policy interventions, including financial literacy, digital infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks, are essential to maximize these benefits. This study provides empirical evidence supporting the integration of digital finance into agricultural policies, offering actionable insights for policymakers and financial institutions to promote sustainability and food security in ASEAN.