Dynamic Effects of Internet Use on Green Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from Five-Wave Panel Data in Rural China (2014– 2022)

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between internet use and the adoption of green agricultural technologies (GAT) among Chinese farmers. Using five waves of panel data from the China Family Panel Studies (2014–2022), we employ fixed-effects estimation and instrumental variable approaches to address endogeneity concerns. The results demonstrate that internet use significantly promotes GAT adoption, and this effect is robust across multiple model specifications. Beyond the contemporaneous relationship, we document notable temporal dynamics: internet use exhibits persistent lagged effects on adoption behavior, and the marginal returns to connectivity increase with cumulative years of online experience. Mechanism analysis reveals that social network expansion serves as the primary channel linking internet use to technology adoption, followed by enhanced information access and heightened environmental awareness. However, heterogeneity analysis indicates that internet's promotional effects are significantly stronger among younger, better-educated, and larger-scale farmers, raising concerns about potential digital divides in rural areas. These findings suggest that policies promoting agricultural sustainability through digital means should prioritize not only connectivity expansion but also digital literacy training and targeted support for disadvantaged farming populations.