Mechanisms of Agricultural Digital Transformation: Evidence from News Media Sentiment and PVAR Analysis of Economic Data

To adapt to the rapid development of the agricultural economy, digital transformation of agriculture has become an inevitable trend. Media narratives and the sentiment conveyed through news coverage play an important role in shaping this process. This study explores how news influences agricultural activities as follows: first, analyzing news sentiment through the BERT model; second, identifying news focus topics via thematic research; and third, examining how news promotes agricultural economic development using the PVAR model. The findings indicate that news related to agriculture generally conveys a positive sentiment regarding digital transformation. In economically developed regions of China, news tends to emphasize industrial chain digitization and cold chain logistics, whereas in less-developed regions, it focuses more on infrastructure construction and the allocation of educational resources. Overall, news sentiment exerts a significant influence on the agricultural economy and infrastructure development therein. This study highlights the potential of leveraging news strategically to support the digital transformation of agriculture.