Digital Economy, Urban-Rural Integration, and High-Quality Agricultural Development

This paper investigates the impact of the digital economy (DE) on high-quality development in agriculture (HQAD) from an urban-rural integrated perspective. Using panel data from Chinese provinces between 2011 and 2019, the study constructs comprehensive indices for DE and HQAD and employs various econometric models to examine the multidimensional impact of DE on HQAD. The results show that DE directly promotes HQAD by enhancing agricultural input-output control, management efficiency, industry integration, and facilitating green transformation. Moreover, urban-rural integrated development serves as a crucial mechanism through which DE positively affects HQAD, either by increasing urbanization or reducing urban-rural economic duality. The study also reveals a nonlinear threshold effect of DE on HQAD, consistent with Metcalfe's Law. The findings suggest that policymakers should invest in digital infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, foster an enabling environment for digital adoption in agriculture, promote urban-rural integration, and consider the nonlinear threshold characteristics of DE when formulating strategies to maximize its impact on HQAD.