Do the socialization services in the whole process of agricultural production enhance sustainable grain production capacity?

The agricultural sector faces persistent labor shortages, which undermine the sustainability of grain production and threaten food security. To address these challenges, a crucial innovation aimed at enhancing efficiency and productivity. However, the specific mechanisms through which SWSAP influences sustainable grain production capacity remain insufficiently explored. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the impact of SWSAP on sustainable grain production capacity, with a specific focus on the underlying mechanisms. The research employs a Difference-in-Differences (DID) approach, utilizing panel data from 2008 to 2022 across 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China. The findings demonstrate that SWSAP significantly enhances sustainable grain production capacity. Mechanism analysis reveals that SWSAP drives this improvement by transforming production structures and optimizing production techniques. Notably, the effects exhibit significant regional heterogeneity, specifically reflected in differences in locational characteristics, topographical features, the number of service organizations, the agricultural institutional environment, and the penetration rates of ASS. This research contributes to understanding how socialization services in agriculture can effectively support sustainable grain production, offering valuable insights for policy-making aimed at ensuring food security in China and other countries facing similar challenges.