Empirical study on the impact of the digital economy on the efficiency of agricultural product circulation under the dual carbon goals

Abstract

Under the dual carbon goals, it has become an urgent practical issue to enhance the efficiency of agricultural product circulation while reducing environmental damage. This paper first constructs a theoretical model to analyze the relationship between the digital economy, green technological innovation, and agricultural product circulation efficiency. Based on panel data from 29 provinces in China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Tibet, and Hainan) from 2015 to 2021, this study utilizes a two-way fixed-effects model and a threshold regression model to analyze the impact of the digital economy on agricultural product circulation efficiency. Meanwhile, the mediating role of green technological innovation is explored in-depth through a mediating effect model. The results indicate that regional heterogeneity exists at the development level of the digital economy and in the efficiency of agricultural product circulation. The digital economy can significantly enhance the efficiency of agricultural product circulation, and green technological innovation plays a mediating role in this process. The impact of the digital economy on agricultural product circulation efficiency exhibits a dual threshold effect, where the promotion effect weakens after crossing two threshold values. Finally, this paper proposes countermeasures based on regional development status, including strengthening the application of the digital economy in agricultural product circulation, promoting green technological innovation, and reducing the thresholds for digital economy development.