资本下乡

Moderate-scale farmland operations are pivotal for boosting agricultural productivity and sustainability. This study uses a moderated mediation model to explore the impact of formal financial credit, social capital, and crop diversity on these operations. Analyzing data from 985 farming households in Shandong Province, we discover that access to formal credit enhances the propensity for larger-scale farming by facilitating land resource inflow, with family farms mediating 38.59% of this effect. However, strong social capital and the cultivation of fruits and vegetables negatively modulate this mediation, indicating intricate dynamics that moderate the benefits of financial support. This research sheds light on the complex mechanisms of rural revitalization, emphasizing the interplay among financial resources, community dynamics, and agricultural choices.

This study empirically investigates the impact and underlying mechanisms of farmers’ digital capability (DC) on large-scale farmland management, utilizing micro-survey data from 1144 rural households across five provinces in China: Anhui, Henan, Shaanxi, Hebei, and Shandong. The analysis employs a double machine learning model (DML). The results demonstrate that DC is positively related to farmers’ farmland inflow, thereby facilitating the realization of large-scale land management. Mechanism analysis reveals that farmers’ DC affects large-scale farmland management by expanding the transaction radius and improving agricultural production efficiency. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the positive effect of DC on farmland inflow is more pronounced when farmers possess advantages in human capital, income levels, business entity characteristics, and natural endowments. This finding suggests that the impact of farmers’ DC on large-scale farmland management is not yet inclusive. Accordingly, the government should actively construct a cultivation system for farmers’ DC, build an inclusive digital service platform for farmland transfer, help farmers bridge the digital divide, and further unleash digital dividends. In future research, we will conduct follow-up surveys on fixed farmer households to expand the survey scope, optimize the measurement of key variables, and carry out comparative analyses across different institutional contexts, thereby providing a more systematic scientific basis for the development of agricultural modernization driven by digital empowerment.

Authors define and explain the meaning of two concepts, namely human and social capital and their influence on the socio-economic progress in agriculture and rural areas. The presented studies and analyses point to the link between the growing role of these two factors and the general socio-economic progress. A major part of the paper is devoted to analysing the past and current state of human and social capital in Poland, focusing on their deficiencies and the need to improve their quality. In conclusion the authors note that the significant inflow of financial means after the the Polisj accession to the EU as well as structural and administrative changes will not bring in full the possible benefits in the future unless there is an improvement in quality and an increase of creative participation of the human and social capital. The health aspect is also explored in the paper as a crucial element influencing human capital in the Polish rural areas.

Agriculture-based policies for rural development and food sufficiency lead to the welfare of farmers. However, the implementation of these policies often cannot address these issues. This study examines the impact of implementing agropolitan area and Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B) policies on paddy field farmers in the Ciwidey Agricultural Area. A review of the literature on regulations related to these two policies was conducted to identify their application in the Ciwidey area. Furthermore, a phenomenological qualitative approach was carried out to observe rice field farmers as the object of these policies. Agropolitan policies can create capital flows in agricultural areas that open opportunities to diverse farmers' livelihood portfolios. This capital inflow would be followed by activities of primitive accumulation that changed paddy field land tenure. In a strategic location, this change will increase the risk of the paddy field's conversion to non-agriculture. The LP2B policy is used to control this transfer of function. Unfortunately, the policy puts farmers with small land at risk of being in the survival strategy because their livelihood portfolio is limited. Their cultivated rice fields have less economic value compared to horticultural commodities. Although the LP2B policy can generally control land use conversion, paddy field farmers retain their identity. The primitive accumulation that follows the capital inflow due to agropolitan policy raises the risk of LP2B farmers become vulnerable in land ownership, changed from land owners to agricultural laborers. In general, this impact keeps the welfare of farmers below expectations.

Rural areas exhibit a high prevalence of poverty. As significant progress in poverty reduction has been achieved, research on rural livelihoods has transitioned from a focus on poverty eradication to preventing poverty recurrence and fostering development. Development resilience, which has emerged as a pivotal research area in poverty governance, is a crucial metric for assessing rural households’ long-term capacity to avoid falling back into poverty, considering the multi-dimensional aspects of poverty and welfare dynamics. Utilizing data from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, this study investigates the impact of land inflow on rural household’s development resilience (RHDR). Findings reveal that land inflow significantly enhances RHDR, a conclusion that holds after extensive robustness checks. Mechanism analysis shows that while land inflow initially imposes a financial burden, it eventually acts as an exogenous driver and causes labor force return and economies of scale, boosting RHDR over time. This effect is more pronounced among non-vulnerable households, those with abundant water resources and strong collective awareness. Therefore, it is recommended to refine land inflow systems, reduce barriers to land resource flow, and implement targeted support for vulnerable groups during the initial stages of land inflow to effectively promote rural revitalization through land transfer.

How to achieve a win-win situation between agricultural economic growth and environmental protection has become an urgent issue to be resolved. This study takes China as an example and employs econometric methods to explore the impact of science and technology finance on agricultural green development and its underlying mechanisms. The findings indicate that science and technology finance has a significant positive impact on agricultural green development and can effectively promote it. This conclusion remains robust after replacing the explained variables, adding control variables, removing samples from municipalities, and conducting endogeneity tests. The impact of science and technology finance on agricultural green development is significant across different regions, showing no obvious regional differences. Rural human capital acts as a mediator in the relationship between science and technology finance and agricultural green development, while agricultural industrial agglomeration has a certain “masking effect” on this relationship. The impact of science and technology finance on agricultural green development exhibits a complex non-linear relationship. When science and technology finance is used as a threshold variable, it shows a significant positive marginal effect that increases; however, when rural human capital and agricultural industrial agglomeration are used as threshold variables, it shows a significant positive marginal effect that decreases. Future research can be further expanded in three areas: first, using spatial econometric models to study the spatial spillover effects of science and technology finance on agricultural green development; second, identifying more mediating variables and incorporating them into the research framework to more comprehensively demonstrate the mechanisms through which science and technology finance affects agricultural green development; third, data at the municipal level are used for the relevant analysis to address the issue of insufficient detail in studies that rely on provincial-level data.

The digital revolution has become the internet an indispensable instrument for the dissemination of information. This is particularly evident in rural China, where it significantly contributes to the development of human capital. This study investigates the effect of online information dissemination on rural human capital, particularly focusing on the role of digital literacy on agricultural productivity. Agriculturalists proficient in computer usage may access valuable information, such as market data and agronomic advice, facilitating improved decision making and enhanced operational efficiency. This, thus, aids them in tackling various challenges encountered by rural regions. The research employed a mixed methods approach, using national statistics, surveys, and comprehensive interviews to assess the influence of internet based knowledge on rural human capital. The findings indicate that instructing farmers in the proper use of digital platforms can enhance their productivity and foster sustainable development in rural regions. The implementation of targeted training programs and appropriate standards is essential, as evidenced by issues such as inadequate infrastructure and insufficient digital competencies. These difficulties must be resolved to facilitate the unobstructed flow of information, enhance agricultural practices, and provide new possibilities in rural regions. We provide critical insights on how digital literacy may bridge the digital divide and enhance economic development in rural regions by facilitating access to online resources.

This article substantiates the relevance of including motivation for living in rural areas in the human capital structure of the agricultural sector. A model of the cyclical relationship between this human capital component, agricultural production growth, and sustainable rural development is presented. A methodology for determining the level of motivation for living in rural areas is proposed, which can be used in formulating rural development strategies to attract qualified personnel to the agricultural sector.

Agroecological wellbeing performance (AWP) plays a crucial role in fostering sustainable agricultural development and improving overall human welfare. The enhancement of rural human capital is a key factor in bolstering AWP, offering substantial support for its improvement.This study utilizes data from 30 provincial regions in China over the period from 2011 to 2022 to assess AWP using the super-efficient SBM model. The spatial Durbin model is employed to analyze the spatial spillover effects of rural human capital on AWP and to explore the underlying mechanisms of its influence.The findings indicate that improvements in rural human capital have a significant positive impact on AWP, with notable spatial spillover effects. Heterogeneity analysis show that rural human capital significantly enhances AWP in regions with steep topography. In contrast, in Main Grain-Producing Areas (MGPAs), the contribution of rural human capital to AWP is more localized, with limited cross-regional spillover effects. Mechanism analysis further suggests that the development of digital inclusive finance effectively supports high human capital groups in enhancing AWP, while resource mismatches act as a barrier to the full potential of rural human capital in improving AWP. These insights provide valuable guidance for advancing AWP across regions.

The vectors of modern civilizational development determine the paradigm shift in relation to rural areas from sectoral to territorial approach. In this regard, it is relevant to assess the relationship between the human capital of rural areas and rural economy. The research is based on statistical data of the traditional developed agrarian region, the main producer of agricultural products - the Rostov Oblast. The paper presents comparative empirical studies of the impact of human capital on the agrarian sphere and on the rural economy as a whole at the level of the region and rural municipal districts. A significant difficulty was caused by insufficient availability of municipal statistics data, which limited the set of analyzed factors. According to the results of econometric modeling, significant functional dependencies of human capital influence on agricultural production and rural economy of the region were determined. At the same time, the differences in the strength of manifestation of the studied factors at the regional and municipal levels were revealed. The conducted research is of great importance due to the high differentiation not only of regional development of rural territories, but also intra-regional: the coefficients of variation in the key indicators of human capital and rural economy development in the municipal districts of the region under study ranged from 25 to 139%. It is concluded that the aggregated regional indicators level the problems of human capital development of rural areas at the municipal level, which makes it necessary to monitor and take measures of rural development at the subregional level.

This study aims to explore the sustainable development of the agricultural economy in the context of new rural development based on panel data analysis. Our research objective is to provide policy recommendations and decision support for rural economic development by analyzing the critical factors of the agricultural economy and its impact on sustainable development. We use the panel data model, combined with economic indicators, agricultural production data, and environmental factors, to quantitatively analyze the sustainable development of the agricultural economy. From results we find that improving agricultural production efficiency and farmland utilization positively impacts the sustainable development of the agricultural economy.

The article presents individual problems of rural areas that need to be solved through the sustainable development of rural areas of the Russian Federation. The authors of the article focus on studying a set of factors that determine how innovation and technological progress in the agricultural sector contribute to improving the overall level of economic well-being of these territories. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the socio-economic consequences associated with the improvement of agricultural technologies and their impact on the economic dynamics and sustainability of regions with a predominant agricultural profile.

Studies have explored social capital (SC) in diverse ways. Still, little is known in the literature about how its functional areas, including bonding, bridging and linking relationships, interact to facilitate sustainable development, particularly in agricultural diversification. We address this gap by using the rural web and the social capital frameworks to (1) analyse factors influencing SC and (2) assess the relationship between SC and agricultural diversification. Drawing on a survey of 600 rural households and 60 interviews with key stakeholders from the Upper West and Ashanti regions of Ghana, we found that socioeconomic factors, including farm size, remittance, household size and education, significantly influence bonding, bridging and linking SC. The findings also show that rural farmers depend strongly on bonding, bridging and linking SC to improve their livelihoods through agricultural diversification. These findings have implications for achieving SDG targets, particularly poverty reduction (SDG 1) and food security (SDG 2), regarding accessibility to resources, market participation, social empowerment, and contract farming. Therefore, agricultural policies in sub‐Saharan Africa should incorporate SC as a critical indicator for achieving agricultural diversification initiatives and sustainable development objectives.

This study examines the logical connection and articulation mechanism between rural human capital and rural revitalization from the perspective of farmers’ professionalization. Utilizing panel data spanning 2011 to 2020, collected from 31 provinces in China, a comprehensive index framework for rural revitalization was constructed, and a fixed-effect model was used for empirical analysis. It is found that: firstly, rural human capital strongly drives rural revitalization, and the professionalization of farmers has a converging influence on rural revitalization as well as a favorable moderating influence on the convergence of rural human capital on rural revitalization. Secondly, the harmonized progress of urban and rural regions is a significant interface mechanism between rural human capital and rural revitalization. Therefore, to facilitate rural revitalization, the government should provide educational opportunities, make investments in rural human capital through policies, and emphasize the value of talents and industrial resources in integrating the urban and rural.

Research has found that the transfer of agricultural land in China has to some extent led to agricultural carbon emissions. Therefore, it is urgent to systematically analyze the reasons for carbon emissions caused by agricultural land transfer, find ways to mitigate the increase in agricultural carbon emissions, and achieve low-carbon and sustainable development of agriculture. This article analyzes the relationship between agricultural land transfer, rural human capital, and agricultural carbon emissions in 30 sample provinces in China based on property rights incentives and scale operation theory, using the system GMM model, adjustment model, and threshold model. The results indicate that the transfer of agricultural land has, to some extent, intensified agricultural carbon emissions, with an increase of 0.003 units per unit of agricultural land transfer intensity. Rural human capital has mitigated the carbon emissions resulting from agricultural land transfer and played a corrective role. Under varying levels of rural human capital, there exists a dual threshold effect on the impact of agricultural land transfer on carbon emission intensity, exhibiting a pattern of ‘ineffectiveness-promotion-inhibition’. The analysis of regional heterogeneity reveals significant differences in the relationship between agricultural land transfer and carbon emissions between major grain-producing areas and non-grain-producing areas. It is worth noting that in the northern region, the transfer of agricultural land exacerbates carbon emissions, whereas in the southern region, higher levels of rural human capital effectively curb the growth of carbon emissions. Furthermore, the impact of agricultural land transfer on carbon emissions is not confined to specific regions, indicating that its environmental consequences transcend administrative boundaries and spread geographically, displaying distinct time-dependent characteristics.

Rural tourism is a new driving force for achieving rural revitalization and development, promoting rural economic prosperity, and serving as a new industrial approach to achieving the transformation and upgrading of farmers’ livelihoods. This paper focuses on Manas County as the research subject and employs farmer questionnaire interviews and participatory rural appraisal methods to categorize villages into four types: “scenic area-dependent” villages, “industry-dependent” villages, “folklore-dependent” villages, and “suburban-dependent” villages. Based on the sustainable livelihood analysis framework proposed by the Department for International Development, we developed a sustainable livelihood framework for farm households in Manas County and analyzed the effects of rural tourism on farm households’ livelihood capital and livelihood strategies as the watershed of the rural tourism takes shape, taking livelihood capital and livelihood strategies as the entry point. The factors influencing the livelihood capital and livelihood options of farm households in the context of rural tourism are analyzed. The results show that: (1) The overall livelihood capital of farmers engaging in rural tourism is significantly greater than that of farmers not participating in rural tourism. Additionally, variations exist in the livelihood capital of different types of rural tourism within villages. (2) Participation in rural tourism significantly influences farmers’ choices of livelihood strategies. Compared with individuals who do not engage in rural tourism, those involved in rural tourism are more likely to opt for self-management livelihood strategies. The proportion of self-managed farmers in villages based around scenic areas is the highest. (3) The effect of rural tourism on farm households in Manas County is generally positive, and various types of villages yield different impact effects. (4) Participation in rural tourism significantly increases the possibility of farmers choosing self-management livelihood strategies, while it reduces the possibility of farmers choosing agriculture-oriented livelihood strategies. In all villages, except those dependent on industry, the decision to engage in rural tourism significantly impacts farmers’ selection of self-management livelihood strategies.

The article is devoted to highlighting the impact of agricultural cooperation on the development of human capital in rural areas and substantiating the components and architectonics of the mechanism of this process. It is substantiated that one of the most promising forms of horizontal integration of small and medium-sized agricultural producers in Ukraine is cooperation, which is an objective necessity for the socio-economic development of both the agrarian sector of the economy and rural areas. It has been established that, depending on the species' activities, service cooperatives are divided into processing, procurement and sale, supply, service, and others, and the features of their tasks and functions in the process of economic activity are characterized. The efficiency of the functioning of agricultural service cooperatives in the European Union, aimed at improving management efficiency and protection from competition with monopoly structures in the processing and sale of agricultural products, is shown. The importance of developing agricultural service cooperatives to solve sales problems and increase energy efficiency in agriculture, particularly with the help of "green" energy cooperatives, is indicated. Attention is focused on the low quality of legal norms and the complexity of administrative and legal regulation of the activities of cooperatives, and the need for further support from the state and improvement of information support is determined. The groups of negative factors influencing the development of the agricultural service cooperative are generalized and disclosed, dividing them into three groups: State, economic, and organizational. A mechanism of influence of agricultural service cooperation on the formation and development of human capital in rural areas of Ukraine has been proposed. During the study, considering the negative factors influencing the development of the agricultural service cooperative, the architectonics of the mechanism of influence of agricultural service cooperation on the formation and development of human capital in rural areas of Ukraine, which can ensure the creation of economic, social, and environmental conditions for the formation and development of human capital in rural areas, was presented and substantiated. Keywords: agricultural cooperation, service cooperation, human resources, rural areas, development mechanisms.

No abstract available

In the modern world, the role of human capital in the stable development of the country’s agriculture is enormous. The problems of agricultural development cannot be solved only by improving the material factors of production. The development of the labor factor based on human resources is of great importance. In this regard, human capital can be considered as a key element for the successful development of agriculture. However, today there is a stable negative trend of the human capital outflow from rural areas, which only aggravates the difficulties of development of both rural areas and the agro-industrial sector. These problems lead to a decrease in the labor activity of the rural population, an increase in social dependency and an extremely low level of interest in the reforms carried out by the government in the agro-industrial sector. To overcome negative trends and sustainable development of agriculture, it is necessary to take comprehensive measures aimed at solving problems associated with the development of human capital in rural areas, it is necessary to expand and develop the infrastructure component of investment. The development of human capital in rural areas is a key factor in the sustainable development of agriculture and the agro-industrial sector. The aim of the study was to determine the role and significance of infrastructure investments in human capital in rural areas. The methods of logical and comparative analysis, systematization of information and processing of statistical data were used in the process of work. The article examines the main factors influencing the formation of human capital in rural areas. Among the most acute problems are the lack of systematic and comprehensive implementation of investment programs and state support for the development of rural areas, as well as differences in the level and quality of life of the rural and urban population. The work emphasizes the need for active participation of entrepreneurs in the development of human capital in agriculture for the sustainable development of rural areas.

This study investigates the impact of social capital and self-efficacy on farmers' well-being in Guizhou Province, China. Employing a second-order model and a cross-sectional design, data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS. The results reveal that bonding social capital, through family support, friends support, and community support, significantly enhances farmers' well-being. Additionally, linking social capital, facilitated by interactions with with formal institutions or organizations, positively affects well-being by increasing trust and engagement. However, bridging social capital does not show a significant effect. Moreover, self-efficacy serves as a crucial mediating variable, amplifying the positive effects of social capital on well-being. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and agricultural development organizations. It is crucial to tailor strategies according to the specific characteristics of different types of social capital and the distinct needs of farmers, such as enhancing transparency in management and establishing a secure information environment. While strengthening bonding social capital, it is also essential to explore effective ways to leverage bridging social capital to comprehensively enhance farmers' well-being. This study not only extends and deepens existing knowledge but also provides a solid theoretical and empirical foundation for future research. 

Whether the aging of rural population will affect the high-quality development of China’s agriculture is an important issue facing the construction of China’s characteristic modern agriculture. Using panel data from 30 provinces in China from 1999 to 2020, this paper used fixed effects models and mediation models for econometric regressions to explore the relationship between rural population aging and agricultural development, as well as the intermediate mechanisms involved. The study found that there was a positive relationship between rural population aging and agricultural labor productivity, and aging can stimulate agricultural development. Mechanism analysis revealed that rural population aging can promote the adjustment of the structure of agricultural factors, drive the deepening accumulation of capital and other factors, promote the modernization of agricultural production methods, and ultimately achieve an increase in agricultural labor productivity. Further examination showed that the positive relationship between rural population aging and agricultural productivity gradually weakened as the degree of rural population aging deepened. The study provides empirical evidence for sustainable agricultural development in the context of population aging.

Agricultural ecological efficiency (AEE) is an important index to measure the coordinated development of agricultural production, resources, and the environment. This study tries to explore the impact of rural human capital (RHC) on AEE, hoping to provide a reference for promoting the green development of agriculture. Data sets (2006–2021) used in this study were gathered from Official Statistics Panel data in 30 provinces in China. Firstly, the super-efficient slacks-based measure model (SBM) with non-expected output is employed to effectively measure AEE. Secondly, the entropy method is used to measure RHC in three dimensions: education, health, and migration. Finally, this study discusses the impact of RHC on AEE using the panel Tobit model and further verifies the moderating effect of Internet popularization on the effect of RHC on AEE using the moderating effect model. The results show that RHC has a significant positive impact on the promotion of AEE, and this positive impact has obvious regional heterogeneity. Specifically, RHC has a greater promoting role on AEE in the eastern and northeastern regions, while it has a smaller promoting role on AEE in the central and western regions. In addition, Internet penetration plays a positive moderating role in the mechanism of the effect of RHC on the AEE. This study may serve as a reference for improving AEE by providing theoretical guidance and policy suggestions for promoting agricultural green development.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Human factor inputs are key to promoting agricultural modernisation. Traditional economic theory suggests that improving human capital is the key to boosting agricultural productivity, but can this conclusion hold in China's dualistic economic structure? We use Chinese provincial panel data from 2000-2017 to examine the impact of rural human capital inputs on agricultural total factor productivity. We find that, on the whole, rural human capital inputs have a negative effect on agricultural total factor productivity, and that there is a "rural human capital trap". Mechanism analysis reveals that rural human capital inputs, on the one hand, cause labour loss and reduce the quality of agricultural workers, while on the other hand, they may promote the application of mechanization, which has both positive and negative effects on agricultural total factor productivity. Heterogeneity analysis finds that this negative effect is more pronounced in the central region of China because of the serious loss of rural labour. This study provides new policy insights for further improving the structure of rural education inputs and promoting human capital accumulation in agriculture.</span></p>

Human capital represents the most important resource and plays a driving force in the efficient development of economic entities and agricultural farms in agribusiness and rural development. Research in the paper aims to analyze and identify positive and negative trends in the structure and operations of the small businesses and agricultural farms, where human resources play a central role. So, the main goal of article is to emphasize research in the field of demographics (age, gender and educational structure, or migration tendencies), socio-cultural, or employment structures that have an impact on the maintenance, improvement and development of human resources in rural areas. Respecting modern approaches in management, marketing and cultural diversity, their application in the field of human resources will influence better understanding and greater investments and implementation of innovative approaches in human capital management in rural areas. Derived research results indicate the need for applying modern methods and techniques of management and culture in order to stop the negative migration trends and improve working and living conditions in rural space. Besides , its required the integration into innovative educational and technological flows, adaptation to cultural changes, encouragement of entrepreneurship and employment with the aim of sustainable development of human resources in rural areas.

One of the priority directions for the development of the modern agrarian economy is the formation and development of human capital in agriculture and rural areas in the context of the strategy of social, economic, and spatial development of the Russian Federation. The purpose of the study is to analyze the current state, trends, problems, and ways of human capital development in the agro-industrial complex and rural areas of Russia. Methods of synthesis, analysis, systematization, logical and comparative analysis using information review, and statistical data processing were used as general scientific methods during the research. The paper reveals the essence and structure of human capital in the agro-industrial complex and rural areas, characterizes the indicators of its main components, analyzes their dynamics from 2017 to 2022, and identifies trends for further development. The analysis of the state of human capital in the agroindustrial complex and rural areas of Russia allowed us to identify both positive and negative trends in its development. Positive trends include an increase in wages in agriculture, some improvement in the structure of the rural population, active participation of farmers in educational programs, an increase in the share of the rural population with higher education, a decrease in the number of employed people who do not have basic general education, and the digitalization of the agro-industrial complex. Among the negative trends are the growth of the natural decline of the rural population, the aging of the population of rural areas, the lack of an attractive image of rural areas, and the low activity of agricultural managers in the creation and development of a personal brand. In conclusion, it is noted that, despite the presence of negative factors, there are real grounds and conditions for the development and improvement of quantitative and qualitative components of human capital in agriculture and rural areas.

In the modern economy of Russia, the issue of the development of the agricultural sector is one of the most important in shaping the sustainable development of the country’s economy. The main problem of rural areas is the outflow of population from the village and the increase in the average age of rural residents. The state faces the task of making life in rural settlements more attractive for young people to preserve rural areas and their development. In this paper, the human capital of rural youth is considered as a potential for the development of agriculture and rural areas.

The development of rural digitalization has become a key driving force for promoting green agricultural production. However, in practical operations, due to the insufficient digital skills and lack of necessary digital human capital among farmers, they struggle to distinguish between green production methods and traditional practices, which in turn reduces their willingness to adopt green production. This study employed empirical research methods to collect data from 854 farmers in China’s largest grain-producing region and used the Probit model to analyze the impact of digital human capital on farmers’ willingness to engage in green production. The results indicate that an increase in digital human capital can significantly enhance farmers’ willingness to engage in green production. Additionally, it was found that online learning can enhance farmers’ willingness towards green production, with informal online learning proving more effective. Further analysis revealed that social networks play a mediating role between digital human capital and farmers’ willingness to engage in green production. The study also explored the heterogeneous impact of digital human capital on different groups of farmers, highlighting that increases in digital human capital have a more pronounced effect on the willingness of small-scale farmers and middle-aged farmers to engage in green production. Therefore, continuously enhancing digital human capital, emphasizing diverse learning channels, and leveraging ’acquaintance networks’ to encourage farmers to improve their awareness of green production through digital platforms are critical for promoting sustainable green agriculture in developing countries.

Rural areas are crucial to the realization of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Rural social capital is indispensable for these areas to fulfil the SDGs. As China pursues rural revitalization, it is essential to achieve the sustainable development of rural areas within the agropastoral transition zone (APTZ) in northern China. The same applies to the SDGs’ realization in other APTZs across the globe. From the micro perspective of individual farmers and herdsmen, this article collected 732 microscopic datapoints through repeated rural surveys, and adopted the multivariate ordered probit model to empirically analyze how the subjective well-being of farmers and herdsmen in northern China’s APTZ was affected by the individual (person) and collective (community) layers of rural social capital. Specifically, the production mode was introduced to study the relationship between social capital and subjective well-being, and social capital was measured by a self-designed theoretical analysis framework, which covered six dimensions and two layers (person and community). It was verified that the individual social capital and collective social capital were mutually replaceable in terms of the effect on the subjective well-being of farmers and herdsmen. Additionally, this article examined the influence of different production modes on the social capital and subjective well-being of farmers and herdsmen, and discussed how the same amount of social capital contributes differently to the subjective well-being of farmers and herdsmen under different production models. The results showed that: (1) Social capital significantly promoted the subjective well-being of farmers and herdsmen, and social network was the leading contributor among the dimensions of individual social capital, while social trust was the leading contributor among the dimensions of collective social capital. By the contribution to the subjective well-being of farmers and herdsmen, the six dimensions of social capital can be ranked as social network > social trust > social participation > social standard > social fame > common vision. (2) Individual social capital and collective social capital were mutually replaceable in terms of enhancing the subjective well-being of farmers and herdsmen; when the individual social capital was insufficient, the collective social capital would exert a much greater influence on the subjective well-being of farmers and herdsmen; when the individual social capital grows, the farmers and herdsmen would depend less on collective social capital. (3) The same amount of social capital contributes differently to the subjective well-being of farmers and herdsmen under different production models; by contribution strength, the production models can be ranked as pure herdsmen (PH) > pure farmers (PF) > non-farmers/herdsmen (NFH) > farmers + herdsmen (FH). Finally, several policy suggestions were provided to improve the subjective well-being of farmers and herdsmen in APTZ. The results show that collective social capital eliminates the negative effect of individual social capital shortage on the subjective well-being of farmers and herdsmen. Thus, it is suggested to consider not only the construction of macroscopic hardware environment, but also to roll out policies and measures to improve the subjective well-being from the micro perspective of farmers and herdsmen. These suggestions are concentrated on the implementation of China’s rural revitalization strategy, and the creation of relevant institutions and cultural environments, as well as the optimization of the internal hierarchy of farmers and herdsmen’s social capital. The research results may help to promote the subjective well-being of farmers and herdsmen in rural areas within the APTZs of China and the world, and provide a reference and a path to realize SDGs in China and similar places across the globe.

Under the background of rural revitalization in China, with the process of urbanization and the implementation of China’s land system reform, rural workers gradually gain multiple income streams. However, increasing agricultural income remains the final guarantee for professional farmers to shake off poverty, and land is still their last security. We applied the OLS model and mediation model to a dataset of 3789 households in 25 provinces obtained from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to investigate the influence of farmland transfer and social capital on farmers’ agricultural incomes. The results show that farmland “transfer in” and social capital significantly help to increase agricultural income directly, and farmland “transfer in” behavior plays a vital mediating role, influencing the positive effect of social capital on agricultural income. The study examined the logical social capital-agricultural land transfer-agricultural income correlation in the progression of rural society, from “hollow” to “reflux”, under the continuous expansion of rural revitalization strategies, which is of great practical significance for re-recognizing the positive role of rural social capital and agricultural land transfer in improving the income of professional farmers and realizing the overall goal of rural revitalization. The results also provide a theoretical basis for guiding and leveraging the effective use of social capital to promote agricultural land transfer.

Introduction. The current labour market situation in Ukraine is marked by a growing unemployment rate, particularly in rural areas, which adversely affects the reproduction of human capital in the agricultural sector. The seasonal nature of employment, limited alternative job opportunities, and socio-economic risks contribute to trends of external labour migration and de-professionalization of the rural population. The purpose of this article is to analyse the structure, causes, and job-seeking methods among the unemployed population in rural Ukraine in order to identify the destructive impact of unemployment on the development of human capital in agricultural enterprises. Methodology. The study is based on a systemic, comparative, structural, and statistical analysis using official data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine for the period 2019–2021. Results. The article characterizes the quarterly structure of unemployment, reveals seasonal fluctuations in rural employment, and analyses the main causes of unemployment (economic, educational, social, and demographic factors) as well as the methods used for job searching. The findings underscore the need for the implementation of a state regional policy aimed at promoting employment through support for retraining, micro-entrepreneurship, and agricultural self-employment.

Agricultural cooperatives are the main vehicle for farmers to engage in green agriculture. With the digital transformation in rural areas, it is crucial to explore how cooperative members can effectively access online information and integrate it into green production decision-making processes. Based on the survey data of 530 members of rice planting cooperatives in Heilongjiang Province in China, this paper selected eight green production behaviors commonly used by rice farmers as explained variables, and constructed an ordered probit model. Using the social capital theory, the impact and mechanism of internet use on cooperative members’ green production behavior were examined. The results showed the following: (1) Internet use facilitates the cooperative members’ green production behavior. This conclusion remains valid even after addressing the endogeneity test and robustness test. (2) The heterogeneity analysis revealed that the internet is particularly effective in enhancing the green production behaviors of farmers who are less educated, middle-aged, and those with strong connections to cooperatives. (3) A further mechanism test indicates that internet use not only significantly influences farmers’ trust in cooperatives but also aids them in comprehending the cooperative’s production specifications, thereby further advancing the improvement in green production behaviors. (4) Members’ satisfaction with cooperative sales can serve as a substitute for the internet in influencing their green production behavior.

The article examines the opportunities and barriers faced by agricultural technology startups in the Republic of Tatarstan in attracting venture capital investments. The current state of the agrotechnological sector in the region is analyzed, the reasons for the insufficient inflow of investments are identified, and a SWOT analysis of the investment climate is carried out. Based on expert interviews and statistical data, recommendations are developed to improve the investment attractiveness of agrotechnological startups, including the creation of specialized venture funds, the development of support programs and educational initiatives for investors and entrepreneurs. The importance of state support and the development of the ecosystem for stimulating venture financing in the agricultural technology sector of the Republic of Tatarstan is emphasized.

Farmer entrepreneurs, as hybrid actors bridging urban capital and rural identity, play a vital role in promoting sustainable rural development by addressing rural hollowing and urban-rural disparities. Understanding the factors influencing their return migration decisions is therefore crucial.This study investigates the multidimensional determinants shaping return intentions among farmer entrepreneurs using survey data from 1,573 individuals in Jintang County, China. The data were analyzed through ordered logistic regression, with robustness checks conducted via ordered probit models (AIC = 780, BIC = 845).(1) Economic Agency: Income level shows marginal significance (β = 0.0035, p = 0.078), with those earning over ¥100,000 annually being 1.8 times more likely to return (OR = 1.84), supporting Hypothesis H11. (2) Family Constraints: Childcare responsibilities significantly reduce return intentions (β = −0.3167, p = 0.021, OR = 0.728), while eldercare responsibilities show no significant effect (β = 0.0796, p = 0.594, OR = 1.083), possibly due to reliance on urban eldercare services. (3) Cultural Anchors: Frequent home visits (β = 0.0314, p = 0.001, OR = 1.032) and strong hometown identity (β = 0.1578, p = 0.011, OR = 1.171) jointly enhance return intentions. Monthly returnees are 3.2 times more likely to commit to resettlement than annual visitors. (4) Selective Policy Impact: General policy awareness does not influence return decisions (β = −0.0099, p = 0.863, OR = 0.990), while targeted expectations for local economic development (β = 0.3914, p = 0.001, OR = 1.479) and education improvements (β = 0.3704, p = 0.033, OR = 1.448) significantly encourage return.The findings underscore the importance of cultural identity, family dynamics, and targeted policy design in shaping the return decisions of farmer entrepreneurs. We recommend three policy directions: building cultural governance platforms to reinforce local identity, developing rural childcare cooperatives to reduce family constraints, and creating tailored policy communication strategies to improve engagement and responsiveness. These interventions can support SDG-aligned rural revitalization in post-migration contexts.

No abstract available

One of the target indicators of agricultural policy in Russia remains the sustainable socio-economic development of its rural areas, for which various measures are being developed at all levels to improve the socio-economic living conditions of the rural population in order to preserve and develop the social and economic potential of rural areas necessary to perform their functions. national importance. The Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Rural Areas of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030 has been in force since 2020. The events presented in it are aimed at creating conditions for ensuring a stable improvement in the quality and standard of living of the rural population based on the advantages of a rural lifestyle. However, the objective problems of rural areas remain. There remains a significant gap between urban and rural areas in many ways. Territorial socio-economic differentiation persists, forming an unfavorable quality of life for the rural population, which causes its incessant outflow, which is increasingly aggravated. This does not allow us to fully realize the main goal in the conditions of sparsely populated regions of the Far Eastern Federal District, which is to maintain social control and rural development. The article substantiates the importance of demographic processes in the formation and development of human capital as a factor in the sustainable development of rural areas, taking into account regional characteristics, and identifies their main trends and causes of regression; assesses the role of government support for agriculture in the integrated development of rural areas; identifies ways to progress human capital in rural areas.

Aim - development of proposals for the development of rural areas on the basis of priority investment. Methods - analysis and synthesis to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the volume of financial investments in the agro-industrial complex and the implementation of a comprehensive policy of modernization of the Kazakhstani village; economic and statistical - in the processing of statistical data characterizing the dynamics of investment in fixed capital and gross output of agriculture, comparing the results for 2012-2022, identifying their trends and patterns; correlation approach - to determine a direct linear relationship between the size of investment funds and the possibility of the development of rural areas. Results - a strong correlation between capitalization in the agricultural sector and gross domestic product is indicated. On the basis of increasing investment activity the directions of overcoming territorial inequality, smoothing the differences in the living standards of urban and rural population are substantiated. Conclusions - the authors have argued the need to intensify investment activity in the agro-industrial complex of the national economy to transform the image of rural areas, to solve the problems of building the capacity of rural areas and agribusiness, to improve the investment strategy through economic, legal and administrative levers, to counter spontaneous migration from rural settlements, to reduce the number of rural residents. Unresolved problems are pointed out: unstable dynamics of increasing investment volumes, their low innovative orientation, rising prices for agricultural machinery and other machinery and equipment for investment purposes. The necessity of strengthening the state investment support of innovations is shown. The results of scientific research can be used in the development of investment concept and comprehensive program of rural development in Kazakhstan.

In the context of rural revitalization and the expanding digital economy, IoT technology offers new opportunities for returning migrant workers, driving agricultural modernization, business innovation, and urban-rural integration. However, challenges such as limited access to capital, technical barriers, market competition, and inadequate infrastructure remain significant obstacles. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study investigates IoT-enabled agricultural ventures across several provinces, revealing that IoT enhances the economic viability of migrant worker-led startups, although outcomes vary by local context. Key limitations include issues with network reliability and financing access. To foster rural entrepreneurship, the study recommends targeted policy support, accelerated 5G infrastructure deployment, and innovations in supply chain finance.

Rural roads, regarded as the “entrepreneurial capital” of agricultural modernization, serve as critical infrastructure for connecting urban and rural resources and ensuring the smooth circulation of agricultural products. Their level of development profoundly influences rural economic vitality and farmers’ well-being. However, financial constraints in rural areas necessitate the strategic optimization of investment to maximize both the direct benefits and indirect impacts of roads. Based on a composite multiple mediating effect model, this study reveals that rural roads drive agricultural growth through dual pathways of “direct empowerment” and “indirect catalysis.” The results indicate that rural roads directly break the “honeycomb” spatial lock of farmland by promoting land consolidation (e.g., returning farmland to cultivation, merging small plots into larger fields), thereby optimizing spatial layout and establishing a core pathway of “road construction → land transfer → output growth.” Simultaneously, rural roads significantly enhance agricultural mechanization, accelerating the transition toward large-scale and intensive production, while jointly with land optimization, reshaping the rural employment structure.

No abstract available

The article substantiates the necessity of applying a systems approach to human capital management in the agro-industrial complex within the context of the transition to a new technological paradigm. The authors have developed an original system model that represents human capital as a complex, open, and self-regulating system. The model structures development factors into "hard" elements (health, education, competencies, physiology) and "soft" elements (talents, emotional intelligence, motivation, level of culture), considering the industry specifics of the agro-industrial complex and differentiation by place of residence (urban/rural). The study demonstrates how a comprehensive impact on these elements, under the influence of the external environment (ecology, economy, demography, politics), enables the achievement of the model's key outcome – the growth of labor productivity.

Farmers' Professional Cooperatives have been increasingly recognized as organizational forms facilitating economic development, agricultural modernization, and rural social capital construction as part of China's national rural revitalization strategy. Based on a big data study method, the study estimates the performance trajectory of FPCs and their impacts on social capital construction, income increase, poverty alleviation, agricultural restructuring, and employment in urban-rural areas. A combined approach of the Back Propagation Neural Network and the Mayfly Optimization Algorithm was put forward in an attempt to promote feature selection and accuracy of prediction for the intricate and multi-layered socioeconomic case. Big data and the proposed predictive model will be compared by the proposed study using the data of 820 members in 14 cooperatives. The outcome reveals that the suggested model achieved a 93.4 % success rate, a 26.4 % increase in earnings, an 18.7 % rise in technology uptake, and a 31.2 % rise in training attendance and engagement. Among cooperative members, descriptive statistics demonstrated a significant improvement in household income, market access, training engagement, and the application of technology. To facilitate generalization, the model was trained on 70% of the dataset, tested on 15% of the dataset, and validated on the other 15% through the use of cross-validation methods. The proposed model was found to be more accurate than traditional models with a 93.4% correctness rate and an RMSE value of 2.13. Other significant factors determining performance in cooperatives, including farm size, years of experience, and education, were also discovered by the model. FPCs strategically facilitate resource concentration, implementation of policies, and rural institutional integration along with enhancing farmers' economic welfare, as revealed by the findings.

This paper proposes a conceptual and empirical framework to develop rural transformation strategies tailored to the agroecological potential and market access of rural areas in Pakistan. Such a framework allows to move away from stereotypical countrywide policies as in use in Pakistan and many other countries. Using publicly available geospatial measures of vegetation greenness and an urban gravity model to proxy the agricultural market demand, we classify Pakistan’s rural districts into categories with similar comparative advantages and describe dominant livelihood activities. The framework recommends market-based approaches to support commercial agriculture or non-agriculture business development in well-connected areas and where households have accumulated human and physical capital. In areas with less developed agricultural potential or market access, households will benefit from area-based and community-driven development, skill development, and labor programs. Since data collection is often challenging in rural areas, statistical agencies can use such an empirical framework to advise policymakers on prioritizing public investments and tailoring rural transformation pathways. In addition, statistical agencies can also extend the framework at different levels of resolution, from national to local level, and complement it with primary data sources to validate the usefulness of the approach.

No abstract available

The goal is to analyze the features of the formation and development of human capital in agricultural sector of economy. Methods – economic-statistical, factorial, comparative analysis, generalization of results. Results – the authors note that production of goods and services depends not only on technical means, but also on the knowledge, skills, moral conditions and behavior of the workers. Therefore, human resources related to skills, experience, health, cultural values, and competencies are of great importance. Currently, the social and living conditions of people in rural areas lag significantly behind those in urban areas. There is a shortage of personnel, an outflow of population to cities, and the reluctance of young people to live and work in the countryside due to low wages, production and living conditions. There is also a need for comprehensive mechanization, informatization and digitalization of agricultural production. These processes require highly qualified specialists who have skills in modern techniques and technologies. Conclusions – it is proposed to develop a concept for the development of human capital in agriculture by clarifying the goals of the organizational and managerial, financial and economic, technical and technological, legal, motivational, and social aspects of this mechanism. The authors reveal the main characteristics and principles of effective use of intellectual capital in agricultural sector. The directions for its optimization by increasing employment of the rural population and enhancing investment support have been determined. Based on the identified problems, further prospects for increasing human potential are shown to ensure the competitiveness of domestic agricultural producers and as the main driving factor in the development of an innovative economy and the strengthening of globalization processes.

Agricultural carbon emission is an significant cause of global climate change and many environmental and health problems. Achieving low-carbon and green development in agriculture is not only an inevitable choice for countries around the world to cope with climate change and the accompanying environmental and health problems, but also a necessary path for the sustainable development of global agriculture. The promotion of rural industrial integration is a practical way to realize sustainable agricultural growth and urban–rural integration development. The analysis framework of agriculture GTFP is creatively extended in this study to include the integration and growth of rural industries, rural human capital investment and rural land transfer. According to the sample data of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2020 and the systematic GMM estimation method, and through the combination of theoretical analysis and empirical testing, this paper discusses the influence mechanism of rural industrial integration development on agriculture GTFP growth, as well as the regulating role of rural human capital investment and rural land transfer. The results show that rural industrial integration has significantly promoted the growth of agriculture GTFP. Additionally, after decomposing agriculture GTFP into the agricultural green technology progress index and agricultural green technology efficiency index, it is found that rural industrial integration has a more obvious role in promoting agricultural green technology progress. Furthermore, quantile regression found that with the increase in agricultural GTFP, the promoting effect of rural industrial integration showed an “inverted U-shaped” feature. Through heterogeneity testing, it is found that the agriculture GTFP growth effect of rural industrial integration is more obvious in areas with high level of rural industrial integration. Additionally, as the nation places more and more focus on rural industrial integration, the promotion role of rural industrial integration has become more and more obvious. The moderating effect test showed that health, education and training, migration of rural human capital investment and rural land transfer all strengthened the promoting effect of rural industrial integration on agricultural GTFP growth to varying degrees. This study provides rich policy insights for China and other developing countries around the world to address global climate change and many related environmental and monitoring issues by developing rural industrial integration, strengthening rural human capital investment and promoting agricultural land transfer to achieve sustainable agricultural growth and reduce undesirable output outputs such as agricultural carbon emissions.

Immigrants play a crucial role in the development of capital‐intensive, industrialized agriculture and often find themselves living in derelict, stigmatized neighborhoods where they become not only objects of fear and exclusion but also objects of racketeering, exploitation, and profit‐making dynamics. Global trends and migration flows trigger new concerns among policymakers who realize that food production is not only a rural issue. Discussing the Italian case of the Saluzzo Fruit District and the Prima Accoglienza Stagionali (PAS, First Reception of Seasonal Workers) project, this contribution focuses on the role that cities as institutional complexes can have in preventing illegal recruitment and exploitation of labor in agriculture as well as improving the living conditions of migrant field hands through the activation of urban–rural synergies for multifactor and multilevel cooperation. Results offer an overview of the potentiality of the abandonment of an emergency approach limited to the sole provision of shelters to migrant workers for adopting a more structured and holistic approach to territorial planning.

China’s gradual transition from traditional agriculture to modern agriculture has allowed land factors with comparative advantages in the countryside to be identified, which, in turn, has promoted the two-way flow of urban and rural resources, leading to the reallocation of various resources such as land, labor, capital, and technology. Completely realizing the potential of various factors is dependent on forming a beneficial cycle of talent, land, capital, and industry by new business entities. The natural and economic conditions of agricultural resources vary greatly in China, especially in hilly and mountainous areas. Therefore, it is essential to promote the high-quality development of new agricultural businesses in these areas, which will accelerate the construction of modern agricultural management systems and encourage rural revitalization. Furthermore, exploring the multi-dimensional development potential of different types of business entities will stimulate the growth of new agricultural businesses. This study presents a thorough system for evaluating development potential. The system consists of five dimensions: development potential, economic performance, social performance, ecological performance, and development prospects. The projection tracing model is employed to evaluate the development potential of diverse types of business entities. Based on the evaluation results, the development potential of new business entities is categorized according to the village scale in 68 sample villages. The results show the following: (1) The four types of new business entities with the greatest potential for development were agricultural enterprises, followed by farmer cooperatives, and finally large farmers and family farms. From the perspective of industrial types, the agricultural enterprises with the greatest development potential were fruit and vegetable agricultural enterprises; the farmer cooperatives with the greatest development potential were comprehensive farmer cooperatives; the large farmers with the greatest development potential were grain and oil farmers; and the family farms with the greatest development potential were comprehensive family farms. (2) Differences in the dimensions and comprehensive projection values of assorted new business entities were present. The comprehensive projected values in descending order were agricultural enterprises (1.0051), farmer cooperatives (0.8135), large farmers (0.6513), and family farms (0.5972). New corporate entities with distinct potential exhibited variations in high-density locations, showcasing either singular or numerous agglomeration centers. (3) The villages in the study area were divided into five types based on their development potential: low, relatively low, normal, relatively high, and high, accounting for 29.41, 16.18, 27.94, 16.18, and 10.29% of the total villages, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate that, to strengthen the long-term sustainable development capacity of new business entities, it is necessary to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of developing new businesses and promote differentiated growth in various regions.

While contemporary debates about agrarian transformations that include topics like the persistence of family farms, agrarian capital accumulation, and simple reproduction squeeze remain vibrant, discussions about the increasingly significant role of migrant wage labour, which further complicates these processes, remain limited. In this paper, we argue that the process of capitalist accumulation in some sections of the agrarian and food system sectors in southern China is able to proceed despite recurring pressures — especially labour shortages in the rural economy caused by domestic rural–urban migration — because of the availability of migrant workers from neighbouring countries such as Myanmar. This development dynamic can be better understood through the lens of interrelated connections between land and labour and production and social reproduction across China and Myanmar. We highlighted the role of two land-related labour flows in the agrarian transformation in southern China–Myanmar regions. We argue that various social classes and groups across China and Myanmar are tied to land, wage work and capital accumulation and, in turn, their productive and social reproductive tasks are directly and indirectly linked to one another. If we are to understand agrarian transformation in settings like this, then methodologically, we will have to adopt an interconnected approach in order to bring the pieces of the puzzle together.

Agriculture is one of the top sources of livelihood of the residents of Calaanan Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, and since the area which is surrounded with great scenery, agritourism is slowly being introduced. With the potentials that agritourism has for the area and for the farmers, the researchers came to assess the awareness and perceptions of the farmers in agritourism participation in Calaanan, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. The proponents derived the responses from twenty participants using quantitative research design. The result showed that there was high level of awareness to participate in agritourism specifically in awareness on the opportunity to develop connections to urban dwellers to rural culture and lifestyles. The farmers perceived agritourism as possible help to farmers to increase their standard of living. Moderate level of willingness to participate in agritourism was noted, this is due to challenges in lack of capital, the technical know-how on managing agritourism business, and unidentified target customers and others. This study has recommendations to address the challenges which may also be a basis of marketing development plan.

Karl Kautsky's "The Question of Land" systematically constructs the classical paradigm of Marxist agricultural transformation theory. This theoretical framework comprises four core components: the "Triple Nature of Capital Infiltration," the "Dialectics of Large and Small Production," the "Paradox of Technological Intensification," and the "Urban-Rural Symbiotic Dependency Structure." It thoroughly analyzes and critically examines the structural contradictions inherent in the process of capitalist agricultural modernization. Kautsky's agricultural modernization philosophy transcends the mechanical historical view of the "disappearance of smallholder farming," innovatively proposing a progressive evolutionary model characterized by "stratified disintegration and resilient persistence." His profound exposure of capital logic distorting land relations, early warnings about technological alienation, and in-depth analysis of unequal urban-rural exchanges have enriched the Marxist theoretical treasury of agricultural modernization. These contributions provide crucial theoretical references for contemporary China to resolve the modernization dilemma of "large country with small farmers," mitigate risks of excessive capital expansion, and facilitate the organic integration of smallholder farmers into the modern agricultural system. Re-examining Kautsky's agricultural modernization thought holds significant theoretical value and far-reaching practical implications for developing China-specific theories and practices in agricultural modernization.

: Entrepreneurial Capital (EC) is a crucial driver of performance for smallholder famers which represents a major share of economic activity for many developing. This article examines the extent to which EC, in the form of interactions between entrepreneurial competence and entrepreneurial commitment, affects the performance of smallholder farmers in Madagascar, while taking into consideration the effects of their gender, age and level of education. The study context is the under-researched rural areas of the central region of Analamanga, which comprises of seven rural districts with a total of 139 municipalities, where a sample of 411 smallholder farmers are surveyed. The results reveal a positive relationship between entrepreneurial competencies (perceived capacity, perceived opportunity and role models) and entrepreneurial commitment (affective commitment) which together positively influence performance, while several demographic factors also play a significant role. Study implications relate to how increased EC may help local people in a developing country context improve their enterprise performance. Government is advised to encourage entrepreneurship in Madagascar by advancing the numerous factors involved in enhancing EC.

highest in Ukraine. To compare production volumes by economic sectors and the distribution of human resources, the study analysed the ratio of population in urban and rural regions. An evaluation of the population dynamics in the EU and Ukraine demonstrates that a fairly large share of the population of the analysed countries lives in rural areas, which demonstrates a higher level of human capital in agricultural regions compared to the human capital of the agricultural sector. The paper identifies the features of human capital of agricultural enterprises in Ukraine and proposes directions for the development of human capital in agriculture. Implementation of the outlined areas of human capital development will increase the competitive potential of domestic agricultural enterprises, promote the implementation of modern Industry 4.0 technologies to ensure high quality agricultural products in accordance with EU standards. Prospects for further research are to develop methodological approaches to assessing the compliance of human capital components of agricultural enterprises with the conditions of Industry 4.0. Ключові слова

Farmers’ debt is a major issue in India’s current agricultural environment. It is widely considered as one of the main obstacles to rural development. A decrease in agricultural output and a worsening of socio-economic opportunity disparities are the results. In the 77th cycle of the NSS, from January to December 2019, the situational assessment of agricultural households and land and holdings of households in rural India-2019 performed. In each of these surveys, information on household debt was gathered. Approximately 35% of rural families (45.1% of agricultural households and 21.5% of non-agricultural households) reported spending money on fixed capital. In metropolitan areas, 15% of families reported spending money on fixed capital formation (25.3% self-employed households, 11% other households), the debt percentage of cultivators is higher than that of non-cultivators in rural India. This demonstrates the farmer’s descent into debt. Government should initiate the over-come indebtedness not only urban area but also rural area of state. Government programs have a significant impact on farmers’ decisions therefore the study may offer advice to policymakers on effective ways to raise knowledge about debt reduction among farmers and rural residents. Financial incentives, such as a 0% interest rate, might go a long way toward enlightening rural farmers. Keywords: NSS survey, 77

Agriculture in the development literature has been postulated as providing impetus for urban industrialization through its role in capital accumulation. While large states with concomitant large export potential of agricultural surpluses may subscribe to this paradigm and may also allow growth of a rural agricultural sector in parallel with an urban industrial sector, small states find it difficult to use the agriculture sector as a springboard toward national economic growth by virtue of size limitations. Small states require alternate capitalization modalities to grow their economies, and some have sidelined agriculture in favor of urban activities, such as manufacturing, finance, banking, and tourism. It is plausible, based on demonstrated successes like Singapore, that structural transformation may take a path in which the agriculture sector is initially sacrificed in favor of more high value urban activities. Since its independence in 1965, Singapore made policy decisions to focus on developing its non-agriculture sectors such as finance, banking, and entrepôt trade. In 1983, the country even reduced its agricultural activities to less than one percent of land area located in six agrotechnology parks. Capital accumulation through the non-agriculture sectors proceeded to consequently make its GDP per capita one of the highest in the world. However, the country did a “U-turn” in the 2010s to re-invest in agriculture, but through high-tech farming, such as indoor plant factories, indoor aquaculture, and alternative (novel) proteins. The increased level of food self-production is strongly augmented by importing food from over 170 countries in diverse geographic regions, so as to confer supply resilience. This alternate development pathway, which emphasizes urban industrialization, may serve as a “leapfrogging” model for small cities and small developing states in a contemporary, technology-enabled landscape.

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are platforms that serve for the growth and development of farmers in both rural and urban areas. Social capital is an asset that is studied by observing interactions and the relationships prevailing in collective organizations. In this paper, we study the contribution of social capital which is a critical element in the effective progress of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Level of derived benefits is one of the five components of Social Capital of the FPOs. Forty actively functioning Farmer Producer Organizations in Southern districts of Tamil Nadu were taken for this study. The sub components of derived benefits include eliminating intermediaries, marketable produce, better price for produce, quality consciousness, declining migration, access to resources, advance payment facility, assured price, livelihood improvement and provision of enhanced advisory (These are the 10 criteria under which the level of derived benefits was studied). Mean scores and percentage analysis were calculated to examine the contribution of each subcomponent in the sample of organizations. The results indicate that the components of Social Capital such as marketable produce, better prices for produce, quality consciousness, declining migration, access to resources, assured price, livelihood improvement, and provision of enhanced advice have been gained by more than half of the FPOs. Areas like eliminating intermediaries and advance payment facilities should be focused more on increasing social capital which in turn increases the performance of the organizations.

Sericulture is a highly employment oriented, low capital intensity activity ideally suited to the conditions of a labour abundant, agro-based economy.1 It invofves a long chain of intermediate operations which provide means of livelihood to a large section of the population: silkworm seed producer, farmercum-rearer, reefer, twister, weaver, hand-spinner of silk-waste trader, etc. While the activities relating to mulberry cultivation and production of cocoons are agricultural in character, the reeling of raw silk. production of silk yarn are cottage-based industries in rural and semi-urban areas.

This article uses factor analysis to study the level of coordinated urban-rural development in Henan Province from 2010 to 2020, aiming to evaluate the differences in urban-rural development and propose corresponding countermeasures and suggestions. The study selected seven indicators, including the ratio of non-agricultural to agricultural output value, the ratio of urban-rural

Purpose: This study examines how smallholder farmers in Siaya County, Kenya, are impacted by the Lifelong Learning for Farmers (L3F) initiative regarding revenue distribution, agricultural productivity, and access to learning resources. Methodology: The analysis utilizes comprehensive statistical data, focusing on demographic characteristics and changes in agricultural production and income among local farmers. Findings: Key outcomes include a notable gender skew towards females at 76%, aligning with regional trends in women's participation in agriculture. The intervention led to a substantial increase in poultry production, with an average rise of 109.63 birds per farm and a significant income enhancement, averaging a 7,053 Kenyan Shillings (KSH) increase per participant. Income distribution data unveiled a prevailing income disparity, with the bulk of participants (41%) falling into the lower income bracket of KSH 3000. A significant portion (57.89%) reported moderate income growth post-intervention, while 40.70% experienced considerable income boosts. The study also detailed changes in oilseed production volumes, showing moderate and significant increases for 43.86% and 29.47% of the cases, respectively. Challenges to L3F implementation included accessing learning resources, with 25.26% of respondents facing difficulties and a gap in technical expertise, as 39.65% felt the need for further training. Yet, 92.67% successfully adapted L3F strategies to their local agricultural contexts, indicating a high adaptability rate. Despite the financial constraints cited by 72.98% of participants, the initiative's positive outcomes suggest a promising potential for personalized digital extension services to impact agricultural productivity and poverty reduction in rural settings significantly. Notwithstanding the general success, issues were noted, including a lack of access to technology and technical know-how. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: These results highlight how tailored digital extension services can improve agricultural productivity and spur economic growth. The L3F initiative shows a possible path for fostering sustainable agricultural growth and reducing poverty in rural communities by tackling technical and educational hurdles.

Talents are the key to the strategy of rural revitalization. Field practice is an important teaching stage for students of rural regional development to have a deep understanding of the countryside, love agriculture and get close to farmers. The teaching effect directly affects students' professional cognition and development. This paper constructs a field practice teaching system of rural regional development specialty which not only accords with the reality of colleges and universities but also highlights the characteristics of Inner Mongolia agriculture. The system aims at improving students' ability of application and innovation, and closely connects talent cultivation with social needs. 乡村振兴战略背景下农村区域发展专业野外实践教学改革研究 申倩 内蒙古财经大学经济学院,呼和浩特,内蒙古,中国 sq_china@163.com 关键词: 乡村振兴; 农村区域发展专业; 野外实践; 教学改革 中文摘要. 人才是乡村振兴战略的关键所在,野外实践是农村区域发展专业学生深入了解农 村、热爱农业、亲近农民的重要教学阶段,其教学效果直接影响学生的专业认知和专业发展。 本文构建了既符合院校实际,又凸显内蒙古农业特色的农村区域发展专业野外实践教学体系。 该体系以提高学生应用及创新能力提高为目标,并将人才培养和社会需求紧密衔接。 1.引言 乡村振兴是党的十九大做出的重大战略部署。乡村振兴战略是系统工程,从产业、生态、 文化、社会治理等方面进行了深入部署和谋划。在中央农村工作领导小组办公室提出的《国 家乡村振兴战略规划(2018-2022年)》中,以中央一号文件的战略规划为方向,细化落实乡 村振兴工作的重点和政策举措。人才匮乏已成为制约乡村振兴的突出障碍,如何培养、吸引 和造就乡土人才成为落实乡村振兴战略的重中之重。 农村区域发展专业学生的野外实践是学生深入了解农村、热爱农业和亲近农民的重要教 学阶段。通过在农村实地调研中的观察、分析、思考和研究,将农村区域发展相关理论融入 实践教学,开阔学生视野,同时也培养学生科学思维的锻炼和创新能力的提升。本文结合内 574 Copyright © 2019, the Authors. Published by Atlantis Press. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research (ASSEHR), volume 314 4th International Conference on Social Sciences and Economic Development (ICSSED 2019)

Digital technology is an important driving force for agricultural modernization in China. Developing modern agriculture in China’s southwest mountainous areas using digital technologies is crucial for rural revitalization and common prosperity and is an inevitable requirement for realizing Chinese path to modernization. This study expounds the concept connotation and operation logic of digital agriculture in southwest mountainous areas. Based on public statistics and field survey data, it analyzes the current status of digital agriculture development in southwest mountainous areas from the aspects of coordination of relevant subjects, infrastructure construction, production and sales link application, and population structure, and further clarifies the practical difficulties faced by the development. Furthermore, the study suggests that we should improve the multi-party cooperation mechanism, strengthen the construction of digital infrastructure, broaden the application scenarios of digital agriculture, and promote digital 收稿日期:2022-11-16;修回日期:2023-01-06 通讯作者:宋宝安,贵州大学教授,中国工程院院士,研究方向为绿色农药创制和植物保护;E-mail: basong@gzu.edu.cn 资助项目:中国工程院咨询项目“西南山区乡村振兴集成示范试点村的战略研究”(2022-XBZD-13) 本刊网址:www.engineering.org.cn/ch/journal/sscae

agricultural land market reform is the key to China's land system reform, but also to promote the overall planning of urban and rural strategy of an important breakthrough. From the aspects of urban-rural overall economic planning strategy, the development of socialist market economy, the improvement of China's land system, the balance of interests of all parties, social harmony and other aspects, this paper puts forward policy Suggestions on the market-oriented transformation of agricultural land: clarify the relationship between property rights, improve the allocation of agricultural land resources with the market as the core; Changing the role of the government, innovating the land management system, and constantly promoting institutional change; We will improve intermediary services, set up trading platforms and improve the system for assessing agricultural land assets. We will improve social security and break through the external constraints imposed by the marketization of agricultural land 现代产权理论视角下的中国农村土地市场改革研究

Urban and rural relations are important for the sustainable development of a nation or region. Urban and rural integration (URI), as a conceptual framework and strategic tool for managing urban–rural relations, is supposed to play a role in linking urban and rural socio-economic systems to promote the two-way flow of resources, facilitate spatial restructuring and functional transformation, enhance resource allocation efficiency, and shorten the gap between urban and rural areas. This article takes agriculture technological innovation in China as an example, and discuss whether and how URI can promote agricultural technological innovation (ATI). Based on a dataset of 288 prefecture-level cities spanning the years from 1999 to 2018, this article analyzes the mechanism and effect of URI on the development of ATI by using the negative binomial regression model and other models based on measuring the level of URI in the municipal area. The main conclusions are as follows. (1) URI positively promotes the development of ATI and exhibits significant heterogeneity across various dimensions, regions, and agricultural production areas. (2) The mechanism analysis shows that governance systems and mature markets positively moderate the impact of URI on promoting ATI, which also exhibits heterogeneous characteristics across various regions. (3) The impact of URI on the development of ATI exhibits a double threshold effect, and its marginal impact on the development of ATI increases with the deepening of URI. Moreover, the threshold effect of URI demonstrates significant heterogeneity. In central and urban areas, after surpassing the threshold value, the influence of URI on agricultural technological innovation becomes greater. Therefore, it is crucial to continuously deepen the development of URI, smooth the channels of factor flow, enhance resource sharing, break down the urban and rural barriers, and create a new engine for ATI development.

Food security is pivotal for national sustainable development. This study utilizes panel data from 31 Chinese provinces spanning from 1990 to 2021 to construct distinct indicator systems for urban–rural integration and food security. The entropy method is employed to assess levels of urban–rural integration and food security, with their inter-relationship examined through a fixed-effects model. Additionally, this study conducts rigorous robustness and endogeneity tests, alongside comprehensive heterogeneity analyses across various dimensions and regions. The findings underscore the significant role of urban–rural integration in enhancing food security, particularly within spatial, social, and economic dimensions, albeit encountering challenges in ecological integration. Moreover, the impact of urban–rural integration on food security manifests differently across diverse food-producing regions, exhibiting notable advantages in primary production and distribution hubs while being negligible in balanced regions. These results accentuate the critical necessity for refining urban–rural integration strategies to bolster food security. Consequently, in formulating agricultural regional policies, careful consideration of resource allocation and the developmental stages of each region is imperative to ensure food security and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

The sharing economy optimizes resource allocation through internet technologies and offers new opportunities for traditional agricultural development. This paper focuses on the "sharing + platform agriculture" business model by examining the shared fishpond project in Village W. It analyzes the mechanisms of agricultural supply-demand integration and social interaction under the trend of urban-rural integration. By establishing interest-based virtual communities, the shared fishpond model efficiently integrates urban and rural resources, creating a closed loop from production to sales. This model overcomes the bottlenecks of traditional agricultural production and distribution and innovates social relations between urban and rural communities. It broadens agricultural product sales channels, increases farmers income, and promotes rural revitalization. Despite its significant value in enhancing urban-rural development and reshaping social relations, the model still faces practical challenges such as poor management, low levels of digitalization, and insufficient infrastructure. Institutional innovation and technological support are urgently needed to foster sustainable development.

The transition toward integrated urban–rural development represents a complex socio-technical challenge in post-poverty alleviation China. This study examines how the reform of agricultural service systems—especially the rollout of full-process socialization services—reshapes urban–rural integration by embedding new institutional, technological, and organizational structures into rural production. Drawing on staggered provincial pilot programs, we apply a double machine learning framework to assess the causal impact of service reform on the urban–rural income gap, labor reallocation, and agricultural productivity. Results show that agricultural socialization services enhance systemic efficiency by reducing labor bottlenecks, increasing technology diffusion, and fostering large-scale coordination in agricultural operations. These effects are most pronounced in provinces with stronger institutional capacity and higher levels of mechanization. The findings highlight agricultural service reform as a systemic intervention that alters resource allocation logics, drives institutional change, and fosters structural convergence across urban and rural domains. This research contributes to the understanding of agricultural modernization as a systems-engineered solution for regional inequality.

This study focuses on the development status, dynamics mechanism, optimization paths, and future prospects of rural industry integration under the background of the rural revitalization strategy. Four typical models were identified: internal agricultural integration, extended industrial chain, function expansion, and technology-infused types. The adaptability of these models in different regions was also explored. Despite some achievements, rural industry integration still faces constraints such as difficulties in land transfer, insufficient capital investment, and lagging technology application. To address these issues, this paper proposes three optimization paths: institutional innovation, technological empowerment, and stakeholder collaboration. Measures include promoting the entry of collectively-owned business construction land into the market, utilizing digital technologies and blockchain traceability to enhance production efficiency and product quality, and building an "government + enterprise + cooperative + farmer" interest community. Furthermore, this study verifies the multiplier effect of industry integration on rural revitalization and suggests that future efforts should explore green integration pathways under the carbon neutrality goal and deepen mechanisms for two-way flow of urban and rural elements. This research not only provides scientific basis for policymakers but also offers theoretical guidance and empirical support for the practice of rural industry integration development.

This paper examines the role of cultural festivals in sustainable urban development, focusing on the Split Summer Festival as a model of integration between cultural heritage, and tourism. The purpose is to analyze how festivals influence tourist flows, valorize local agri-food production, and contribute to economic resilience. The methodology combines quantitative analysis of overnight stay statistics (2013–2024) with qualitative secondary literature review, supported by a two-way ANOVA to test differences between festival and non-festival regions. Results confirm that festival locations achieve significantly higher growth in overnight stays and stronger links between cultural events and accommodation demand. Conclusions highlight the importance of festival-driven synergies in shaping cultural capital, economic benefits, and sustainable tourism. Recommendations include integrating small agricultural producers, diversifying accommodation, and strengthening collaborative policy frameworks. Additional data underline the growing role of rural households and agri-food products in enriching the cultural tourism experience.

Against the intensifying mismatch between urban and rural land resources, activating farmers’ intentions to revitalize their idle homesteads is a key issue in optimizing land resource allocation and promoting urban–rural integrated development. However, existing studies mostly focus on the marginal effect of a single factor and ignore the synergistic effect of multiple factors, making it difficult to reveal the complex causal logic of farmers’ decision-making. This study aims to explain the causal asymmetry and equivalent path problem in farmers’ revitalized decision-making by capturing the multidimensional interaction mechanism of “external stimulus–mental cognition”. This study integrates the social stratification theory, the theory of planned behavior, and the Stimulus–Organism–Response framework to systematically explore how the interactive configuration of farmer differentiation and cognition from a multidimensional perspective drives the formation of farmers’ willingness to engage in high inventory activities, based on the 881 farmer research data in Shaanxi Province, using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) methodology. This study found that (1) a single condition cannot independently explain the intentions of farmers to revitalize, and its formation needs to rely on the synergistic linkage of multiple conditions; (2) the configuration of farmers’ high intentions to revitalize includes “wealth capital differentiation–dual cognitive-driven type”, “single cognitive-driven type”, “reputation capital differentiation–single cognitive-driven type”, “wealth capital differentiation–single cognitive-driven type”, which wealth capital differentiation is the common core condition triggering high intention; and (3) the formation of farmers’ low revitalization intentions stems from the insufficient differentiation of farmers and the lack of cognitive elements. Therefore, policymakers should take a holistic perspective in enhancing farmers’ revitalization intentions, focusing on the rational allocation between farmer differentiation and farmers’ cognition.

National rejuvenation requires rural revitalization. Through rural revitalization, we will promote the comprehensive upgrading of agriculture, the comprehensive progress of rural areas, and the comprehensive development of farmers, and advance the modernization of the rural governance system and governance capacity. Adhere to overall planning, promote the integration and common development of urban and rural areas in planning layout, element allocation, industrial development, public services, ecological protection, and other aspects.

: The development of rural e-commerce is of great significance for the efficient allocation of agricultural production resources, the exploration of the value potential of rural markets, the promotion of two-way economic circulation between urban and rural areas, and the realization of the transformation and upgrading of the agricultural industry. It has become an effective way to address China's "issues concerning agriculture, rural areas, and farmers" and achieve rural revitalization. Guangxi is rich in agricultural product resources and has unique rural economic characteristics. As an important part of digital-economy-empowered development, rural e-commerce in Guangxi is gradually emerging. However, in-depth research on the influencing factors and promotion paths is still required for its high-quality development.This paper empirically examines the mechanism through which the digital economy enables the high-quality development of rural e-commerce, based on the panel data of rural areas in Guangxi over the past decade. Through the analysis of empirical results, it is found that aspects such as the construction of information-based facilities, the application of scientific and technological innovation, and the cultivation of digital-economy-related talents within the digital economy have a significantly positive impact on the high-quality development of rural e-commerce.Therefore, it is necessary to continuously strengthen the construction of digital infrastructure, expand the radiating effect of the digital economy, enhance government policy support, improve the digital literacy of rural residents, and cultivate compound-skilled digital e-commerce talents, so as to accelerate the effective integration of the digital economy and rural e-commerce.

This study takes Wansheng District in Chongqing as a case to systematically ana-lyze the internal mechanisms and policy support of "new farmers" in driving rural revitalization. Based on theories such as human capital, industrial integration, so-cial embedding, and policy tools, it constructs a three-dimensional analysis framework of "actor-behavior-environment" to reveal the dual-path mechanism through which new farmers activate rural endogenous dynamics via technological empowerment and social capital reconstruction. Empirical research demonstrates that new farmers significantly enhance agricultural added value and farmer in-come through measures such as industrial chain reshaping (agricultural orders, deep processing, cloud warehouse logistics), organizational innovation (the "leading enterprise + new farmers + cooperatives" model), and cultural activation (intangible cultural heritage IP development), with the synergistic effect of tech-nology diffusion and organizational restructuring contributing 53%. However, rural areas in western China still face structural constraints such as land fragmen-tation, limited financing channels, and infrastructure deficiencies, along with is-sues like "elite capture" and insufficient departmental coordination in policy im-plementation. Drawing on 1,200 questionnaires and multi-source data, the study validates through multiple regression and structural equation modeling that policy support (β=0.352) and digital skills (β=0.287) are core drivers, yet farmland fragmentation (CFI=0.89) significantly undermines the synergistic effect of policy and technology diffusion. To address these issues, the study proposes a "three-chain synergy" policy toolkit: promoting virtual plot consolidation and se-curitization of land use rights; innovating supply chain ABS and insurance futures coordination; and establishing village-level mid-level platforms and resident "dig-ital stewards." Additionally, it designs a policy performance evaluation system covering economic, social, ecological, and innovation dimensions, along with a fault-tolerant and corrective mechanism to ensure policy implementation. Theo-retically, this study integrates new endogenous development and urban-rural in-teraction theories to construct a mechanistic model tailored to the western context. Practically, it provides replicable policy solutions for western counties, aiding in addressing the sustainability challenges of rural revitalization.

High-quality development of agricultural and rural areas is the foundation of national modernization and sustainable development in China. Therefore, the evaluation of the degree of development of modernization of China’s agricultural and rural areas and the summarization of its main characteristics are crucial. However, studies on rural modernization and coordinated development are limited. Here, we developed a statistical evaluation system to effectively identify and assess the levels of agricultural and rural modernization, urban–rural integration, and agricultural rural coordination. We found that agricultural and rural modernization in China has continued to improve, but low scores were attributed to the factors of coordinated development of urban–rural areas, livable ecological environment, farmer prosperity, industrial structure upgrade, and resource allocation efficiency, limiting high-quality agricultural and rural development. Agricultural and rural modernization is lower in the central and western regions, compared to that in the eastern regions, but it is picking up the pace, indicating convergence. Rural modernization is lower than agricultural modernization and the two subsystems are not sufficiently coordinated, especially in undeveloped areas. Furthermore, the regional differences in rural modernization are greater than those in agricultural modernization. The system developed here can provide valuable experience for developing countries to open new paths toward modernization.

This study focuses on resource optimization and organizational innovation within agricultural enterprises operating under dynamic market conditions. It employs a mixed-methods research approach to conduct in-depth investigations of 41 different types of agricultural enterprises. The research systematically analyzs resource allocation patterns, organizational innovation practices, and their interaction mechanisms in dynamic market environments. The research reveals significant efficiency differences and structural problems in land, human resources, and capital allocation among traditional agricultural enterprises, with large enterprises demonstrating substantially higher Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) efficiency values (0.782) compared to small enterprises (0.536), where low proportions of technical personnel and singular financing structures constitute the primary factors constraining resource allocation optimization. Modern agricultural enterprises have achieved a transformation from experience-driven to data-driven approaches through technology-driven organizational changes, with smart agriculture technology application rates reaching 78.3% and decision-making efficiency improving by 35%. Industrial integration has created new development opportunities for agricultural enterprises, with agri-tourism integrated enterprises generating 42.6% of total revenue from integrated business operations, demonstrating outstanding performance in service standardization and customer satisfaction by leveraging international hotel management practices. The research conclusions provide important theoretical foundations and practical guidance for agricultural enterprises aiming for sustainable development in dynamic market conditions, offering valuable policy insights for promoting agricultural modernization and rural revitalization.

In the context of the digital age, China has set new goals for rural economic development: to transform from a major agricultural country to a powerful agricultural country. On this basis, digital financial inclusion has become a powerful tool for achieving this goal. This paper systematically reviews the impact and pathways of digital financial inclusion on rural economic development. This paper focuses on the practical effects of digital financial inclusion in areas such as rural revitalization, high-quality agricultural development, rural economic growth promotion, and common prosperity. According to multiple studies, digital financial inclusion has effectively promoted the transformation and upgrading of rural industries and the optimization of the rural consumption structure through methods such as optimizing resource allocation and expanding the boundaries of financial services. However, issues such as unbalanced regional development and risk prevention and control still need to be optimized and resolved. This paper, by integrating multiple academic research papers, proposes methods for optimizing paths such as strengthening the infrastructure of digital financial inclusion and improving the application system, striving to achieve common prosperity and narrowing the urban‒rural gap.

Rural agribusinesses in developing regions remain constrained by limited access to traditional financial services, fragmented supply chains, and exclusion from lucrative urban and international markets. This paper investigates how digital market access platforms and mobile financial technologies are transforming agribusiness productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in rural farming communities. The emergence of mobile finance tools such as digital wallets, mobile credit scoring, and blockchain-enabled payment systems has enabled farmers to overcome credit inaccessibility and reduced reliance on informal financing mechanisms. Simultaneously, digital platforms offering market price intelligence, e-extension services, and virtual trading environments have opened new market linkages while improving negotiation power and transparency. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining geospatial analysis of mobile network penetration with impact assessments from case studies in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. It critically examines the digital divide in access and literacy, revealing how mobile penetration, gender dynamics, and infrastructural deficits influence tool adoption. Further, it explores how mobile finance ecosystems integrate with government-led subsidies, agricultural input delivery systems, and climate insurance programs to enhance economic resilience in the face of climate and market volatility. The findings demonstrate that well-structured digital ecosystems not only improve rural farmers’ access to buyers and capital but also enable inclusive value chain participation. However, long-term success hinges on local stakeholder alignment, trust-building, and digital literacy campaigns. The paper concludes by proposing a policy framework for scaling digital finance and market access strategies, anchored in public-private partnerships and targeted digital inclusion programs for marginalized farmer groups.

: Against the backdrop of rural revitalization through cultural and artistic empowerment, “Culture + Agriculture” combines traditional agriculture with the cultural and artistic industry, integrating art design, technology, and agricultural elements with the logic of cultural thinking, developing and expanding the functions of traditional agriculture and enhancing and enriching its value. With the help of art principles, design, and symbols, the “artistic rural construction” uses the power of art to bridge the gap between past and present, connect urban and rural areas, reconstruct the relationships among rural people, scenery, and objects, cultivate cultural ecology and open up poetic spaces. The design team remains committed to deep engagement in practical experiences, both emerging from and returning to rural practices. They consistently focus on the focal points and issues within the vision of rural revitalization, incorporating the advanced ideological foundation and cutting-edge technological perspectives of capital’s universities into the grand cause of rural revitalization, thus promoting the spiritual and cultural construction as well as the economic growth of the new rural areas.

The article studies agrotourism as an element of the noonomic model of regional development based on the integration of intangible resources, knowledge and digital technologies in the mechanisms of sustainable reproduction of rural areas. A retrospective analysis of the formation and development of agrotourism in the context of the noonomic approach is carried out. The authors elaborate on its role in the diversification of agrarian economy, involvement of human capital and formation of new forms of employment. The authors’ model of platform management of agrotourism activity “NooAgroTour” is proposed, including cognitive algorithms of forecast analysis, digital twins of territories, decentralized mechanisms of resource allocation and intelligent cluster management. Agrotourism is considered as a tool of cognitive transformation of agriculture, providing sustainable development of territories in the concept of noonomy theory.

Sustainable agriculture has been proposed by the United Nations as a key indicator of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It presents diverse features and rich connotations in the transformation towards modernization. However, for a long time in China, transformations of agricultural modernization have not been the concern of spatial planning, nor the emerging land use requirements of agricultural modernization under the trends of urban–rural integration, such as the application of modern technologies for the mechanization of agricultural production, the coexistence of multiple forms of business entities with agricultural enterprises as the main body, the extension of the industrial chain from the primary to the secondary and the tertiary, and the concentration of industrial spaces, as well as specific land use due to those transformations. This paper constructs an analytical framework of “business entity, business model, production technology, and production space” based on the literature studies and selects eight representative agricultural cases from Beijing, Zhejiang, and Yunnan to conduct field investigations and case studies to reveal the transformative aspects of agricultural modernization in China and its land use requirements, enriching the understanding of modern agriculture from the perspective of spatial planning. This study finds that the transformation of agricultural modernization has generated new requirements for the construction of necessary production facilities, but these requirements cannot be met in terms of land use due to the constraints imposed by China’s current land use regulations. The paper advocates for the development of agricultural parks, the optimization of land use regulations, and the allocation of agricultural land use in spatial planning in line with the trends of agricultural modernization, thus supporting the sustainable development of agriculture.

The livestock sector plays a strategic role in strengthening food security, rural income generation, and sustainable agribusiness development in emerging economies. However, access to capital remains a critical constraint for small-scale livestock farmers, particularly under conventional interest-based financing systems that impose rigid repayment obligations amid biological and market uncertainties. This study aims to design and evaluate a mudharabah-based dairy goat investment model by integrating Islamic contract principles with livestock production economics. Using a quantitative financial feasibility modeling approach, the study simulates a one-year partnership contract incorporating milk revenue sharing, offspring profit allocation, biological production cycles, risk mitigation mechanisms, and monthly return distribution. Financial performance is assessed using Return on Investment (ROI), Net Present Value (NPV), and Payback Period, complemented by sensitivity analysis under optimistic, moderate, and pessimistic scenarios. The results indicate that the dual-revenue mudharabah model generates positive returns, maintains financial feasibility under moderate production variability, and enhances liquidity through periodic income distribution. From a theoretical perspective, the study extends Agency Theory by demonstrating that profit-sharing mechanisms improve incentive alignment and reduce agency costs, while operationalizing Islamic Contract Theory into a measurable agribusiness investment framework. The findings suggest that mudharabah-based livestock investment offers an economically viable, sharia-compliant, and socially inclusive financing alternative for sustainable rural development.

The transfer of agricultural land has significant effects on farmers’ livelihoods and welfare. This study aims to explore the utility and obstacles of rural land transfer. The research found that in the process of agricultural transformation in developing countries, rural land transfer played a positive role in improving farmers’ welfare. Rural land transfer enables land lessors to obtain physical rent or implicit rent, which increases household income or enhances relationships with relatives and neighbors, generating a positive impact on farmers’ welfare. Land transfer was a comprehensive decision-making of households based on the optimal allocation of factor resources such as land, labor, and capital. Risks associated with land transfer and social security arrangements after transferring land rights have emerged as prominent obstacles. These factors tend to induce anxiety among land-leasing households regarding the livelihood risks their families might face post-transfer, thus making them hesitant and reluctant to engage in land transfer due to lingering concerns over both immediate and long-term interests. The welfare-enhancing effects of land transfer on farmers vary significantly depending on the local rural governance context, household’s social status within the community, and relative importance of internal family opinions in decision-making processes. This study demonstrates that the allocation of production factors should be examined within the overarching framework of urban–rural integration and provides empirical evidence and theoretical insights for central and local governments to refine relevant policy documents.

The long-term dilemma of maintaining agricultural, cultural, and tourism facilities has become a key issue restricting the integration of rural revitalization and cultural tourism. This article takes the Qianmo Rice Field Exhibition Area in Zhenshan Street, Sihui City, as the research object. Based on the theory of full life cycle management and multi center governance, a four-dimensional dynamic responsibility allocation model of "government enterprise village collective villagers and tourists" is constructed. At the same time, feedback data on the effectiveness of facility maintenance was obtained through questionnaire surveys and interviews. A machine learning model based on grid optimization XGBoost was constructed, and multiple indicators were used for model evaluation. The model was explained using SHAP. The model results show that the AUC value under the ROC curve is 0.76, and the area under the PR curve is 0.78, indicating that the classification effect is good. SHAP analysis shows that the SHAP values of actively participating in the points system Q11, introducing technology types Q16, rationality of responsibility allocation Q5, and dynamic adjustment of responsibility allocation Q6 are significantly higher than other features, and are the core factors affecting the difficulties of facility maintenance. Research has shown that the dilemma of facility maintenance stems from the static allocation of responsibilities, the lack of incentive systems, and weak technical support. It is necessary to achieve the adaptation of rights and responsibilities through a dynamic weight adjustment mechanism. Innovatively propose a "three point" incentive mechanism and a "scan code crowdsourcing + grid refinement" technology loop to promote the improvement of maintenance response efficiency and enhance the participation enthusiasm of villagers. The research suggests forming a collaborative governance framework through a responsibility binding contract system, low-cost digital tools, and village level grid personnel system, which provides a theoretical and practical paradigm for sustainable governance of agricultural, cultural, and tourism facilities. It has important reference value for optimizing public resource allocation and promoting urban-rural integration.

Agricultural product branding promotes regional economic development by enhancing brand value and market competitiveness, serving as a vital pathway for increasing farmers’ incomes and advancing the transformation of modern agriculture. This paper transcends one-dimensional analysis by examining the dual perspectives of urban-rural income disparities and regional income gaps, thereby revealing the impact of regional agricultural product branding on income inequality. This study employs panel data from 82 counties in Guangdong Province spanning the years 2010 to 2023, comprising a total of 1148 observations, and treats the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs’ designation of “famous, special, excellent, and new” agricultural products as a policy hit. Employing a multi-period difference-in-differences model, it empirically examines the impact of regional agricultural product branding (RAPB) on income inequality. The study found the following: (1) RAPB narrowed the urban-rural income gap by 0.92% and Theil decreased significantly by about 15.3% on average. (2) Mechanism analysis indicates that RAPB mitigates income inequality through resource allocation effects, technological progress effects, and human capital accumulation effects. (3) Heterogeneity tests reveal that the inequality-alleviating effect of RAPB is most robust in regions focused on crop cultivation and areas with lower levels of agribusiness vitality, while its effect is weakened in dynamic entrepreneurial and high-yield regions. This study provides a new value metric for evaluating regional brand policies that balance efficiency and equity, revealing their core potential in promoting social fairness and coordinating urban-rural and regional development.

Leisure agriculture has become an essential driver of rural revitalization in China, yet most existing studies focus on provincial or municipal levels and rely on single-method approaches, leaving a gap in understanding spatial distribution patterns and driving mechanisms in highly urbanized metropolitan regions. This study addresses this gap by constructing a comprehensive leisure agriculture database for southern Jiangsu using multi-source data, including POI (Point of Interest), statistical yearbooks, and GIS datasets. Kernel density estimation, nearest neighbor index (NNI), geographic concentration index (GCI), and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression with VIF testing were applied to analyze spatial clustering and influencing factors. Results reveal that leisure agriculture resources exhibit significant clustering with a clear “core–periphery” pattern, concentrated in urban–rural transition zones. Agricultural output value and the number of A-level scenic spots significantly promote clustering, whereas GDP, population, and transportation density show weaker explanatory power. Theoretically, this study integrates multiple spatial statistical methods into a comprehensive analytical framework, enriching the understanding of leisure agriculture evolution under metropolitanization. Practically, it provides empirical evidence to support the optimization of leisure agriculture resource allocation, inform rural revitalization policies, and guide coordinated urban–rural planning in developed regions.

Agriculture, fishing, and animal rearing, activities often regarded as the backbone of subsistence economies, represent a vast yet underexploited dimension of Nigeria’s tourism potential. This paper, titled “Sweat to Wealth: Agriculture, Fishing, and Animal Rearing as Crucial Yet Underestimated Pillars of Tourism in Nigeria,” examines how these sectors, when strategically integrated with the tourism industry, can drive sustainable development, rural empowerment, and GDP growth. The study explores the symbiotic relationship between agritourism, eco-fishing experiences, and livestock heritage tourism, situating them within Nigeria’s socio-economic realities, cultural identity, and developmental challenges. Drawing from both qualitative and quantitative data, as well as global best practices from countries such as Kenya, South Africa, and Thailand, the research argues that Nigeria’s rural economies hold untapped tourism capital capable of transforming “sweat” into tangible “wealth.” The study identifies three primary drivers of this potential: (1) agritourism and farmbased experiences, which offer opportunities for urban dwellers and foreign visitors to participate in agricultural life while stimulating local markets; (2) fishing and aquatourism, which could transform communities along the Niger and Benue rivers into eco-recreation hubs; and (3) animal rearing and livestock tourism, which highlight indigenous breeds, herding cultures, and traditional livestock festivals as both cultural and economic assets. Despite these opportunities, Nigeria’s weak policy frameworks, inadequate rural infrastructure, and low investment in tourism diversification have hindered progress. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining field interviews, secondary data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, and tourism performance metrics, to establish a developmental framework that integrates agriculture-based industries into the national tourism strategy. Findings reveal that more than 60% of Nigeria’s rural population is involved in agriculture, yet less than 10% of tourism promotion initiatives incorporate agro-based experiences. The research posits that repositioning agriculture and related rural activities as tourism products could contribute an additional 2–3% to the national GDP within five years, improve foreign exchange earnings, and reduce youth unemployment through community-based enterprises. Furthermore, the study underscores the role of storytelling, digital marketing, and experiential branding in transforming agricultural and rural heritage into marketable tourism narratives. Ultimately, this paper concludes that the concept of “Sweat to Wealth” transcends mere economic gain, it embodies a national reawakening towards valuing hard work, rural identity, and sustainability. It recommends a multi-sectoral approach that involves the Ministries of Tourism, Agriculture, and Information, alongside private investors and local cooperatives, to create an integrated agro-tourism policy framework. By promoting immersive farm tours, fishing festivals, and livestock showcases, Nigeria can bridge the gap between its rural communities and the global tourism economy. The study, therefore, advocates for a paradigm shift: to see sweat not as a symbol of struggle, but as the raw material of national prosperity.

Digital Village Construction (DVC) represents a national strategy to integrate digital technologies with agriculture and rural development in China. Whether such a comprehensive, government-led digital transformation can raise agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) remains empirically underexplored, particularly at the county level. This study investigates the causal effect of DVC on agricultural TFP and clarifies the underlying mechanisms and heterogeneous impacts. We treat China’s National Digital Village Pilot policy as a quasi-natural experiment and construct a time-varying DID design using county-level panel data from 2009–2023. Agricultural TFP is primarily measured via DEA–Malmquist indices based on a land–labor–capital input system and real agricultural output. We include county and year fixed effects and standard controls, and conduct extensive robustness checks. Mechanisms are examined through mediation analyses focusing on non-farm employment opportunities and production technical intensification. Baseline DID estimates indicate that DVC significantly increases agricultural TFP, and the result remains robust across multiple identification and measurement checks. Mechanism analyses suggest that DVC promotes TFP mainly through expanding non-farm employment opportunities and stimulating production technical intensification. Heterogeneity analyses show stronger effects in counties with higher levels of digital financial inclusion, in administratively classified counties, and in areas closer to provincial capitals. The findings provide causal evidence that comprehensive digital rural policies can enhance agricultural productivity by improving factor allocation, facilitating labor structural transformation and accelerating technology- and energy-intensive modernization of production. These research conclusions provide empirical evidence for further advancing digital village construction.

Against the backdrop of China’ s Rural Revitalization Strategy and deepening supply-side structural reforms in agriculture, the misallocation of agricultural production factors has emerged as a key constraint on high-quality agricultural development. This study constructs a comprehensive model to measure agricultural resource misallocation across capital, labor, and land inputs. Using panel data from 30 Chinese provinces between 2010 and 2023, and applying kernel density estimation, the study systematically quantifies the relative degree and spatiotemporal evolution of factor misallocation. The results reveal a systematically intensifying trend in capital misallocation, a labor misallocation trajectory characterized by “bimodal stabilization–ecological deterioration–marginal risk emergence,” and a land misallocation evolution following a “policy-driven improvement–structural rebound–regional polarization” three-stage pattern. Significant regional heterogeneity is observed: eastern China is marked by “external sensitivity and peri-urban rigidity, "central China shows a “three-phase evolution,” and western China exhibits “ecological constraint-driven polarization.” In response, the study proposes regionally adaptive, category-specific, and dynamically adjustable governance strategies, providing both theoretical insights and practical guidance for optimizing agricultural resource allocation and advancing agricultural modernization in China.

Coffee production plays a central role in Brazil's economic and spatial dynamics, particularly in the South/Southwest Mesoregion of Minas Gerais, where interactions between urban and rural areas shape the regional territory. This production both comprises and is shaped by the multiple interdependent productive sectors that constitute agricultural production for the global market, commonly referred to as agribusiness. The relationships between places involve horizontal, transversal, and vertical interactions, forming a complex territorial division of labor. In this context, this article analyzes the interaction between small and medium-sized cities within the South/Southwest Mesoregion of Minas Gerais, focusing on coffee production, the structuring of the regional urban network, and the agribusiness supply chains related to coffee. The research integrates a bibliographic review, comparative analysis, and economic and productive data from the municipalities of Campos Gerais, Alfenas, and Varginha, highlighting their roles within the urban hierarchy and the coffee agribusiness. The findings indicate that Campos Gerais, a municipality with a small city, plays a significant role as a coffee producer but remains economically dependent on larger centers such as Alfenas and Varginha, which, as medium-sized cities, concentrate infrastructure, services, and capital, linking local and regional production to the global market. The study argues that, although regional coffee production is predominantly carried out by municipalities with small cities, it is embedded within broader agribusiness scales, which involve the concentration of specialized services, capital, and logistics in medium-sized centers such as Alfenas and Varginha. These cities play a crucial role in articulating local production with global markets, thereby adding complexity to the spatial relationships between places.

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This article addresses the pressing issue of adapting the organizational and economic mechanism for the formation and development of human capital in the agro-industrial complex (AIC) to the conditions of the Novosibirsk Region in the context of digital transformation. The authors provide a detailed analysis of the constituent elements of this mechanism, including legal and regulatory frameworks, investment policy, incentives, and a system for training personnel with digital competencies. Key regional characteristics, such as strong scientific and educational potential and the presence of large agricultural holdings, are identified, as well as risks, including an imbalance between large and small businesses, a "brain drain" into the IT sector, and infrastructural limitations in rural areas. A set of practical recommendations is proposed as a solution, the central one being the creation of a Regional Competence Center for Digital Transformation of the AIC to coordinate the actions of all participants. The authors emphasize the need for differentiated support for enterprises, strengthened incentive mechanisms to retain personnel in rural areas, and harness the potential of the region's leading universities for training specialists.

The article discusses possible directions and mechanisms for the inclusion of national enterprises in projects for the creation of rural agglomerations. The author presents an alternative concept of creating agglomerations, which assumes the creation of a national enterprise as a core. In the structure of the organizational and economic mechanism of such an agglomeration, key functions and roles are assigned to the state, an investment and construction company accredited by the state, authorized banks and, most importantly, scientific institutions of an agricultural profile. The functioning of the agglomeration provides for the use of housing leasing mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and active cooperation with vocational education institutions (secondary and higher). It is assumed that the proposed solution will provide a systematic approach to solving the most pressing problems of the industry: with human capital, scientific and technical development, creation and development of social infrastructure in rural areas close to the urban level. State control mechanisms are also provided for the development of such projects, which is possible due to the possible ownership of 25 percent of the shares of national enterprises to third–party individuals and legal entities - not employees. The inclusion of national enterprises with a core function in the agglomeration will ensure the involvement of the rural population in the industry, provide motivational mechanisms for productive work and development.

. Rural women in China are the important labor force in agricultural production, as well as the nurturer of human resources and the carrier of regeneration. The improvement of the rural female human capital investment is not only related to their own quality and social status, but also plays an important role in rural economic and social development and social progress. Rural women are developed in areas including strengthening basic education, vocational skills training and modern lifestyle, so as to promote the coordinated development of rural economy and society.

The guinea pig value chain in Jauja, Peru, has been developed through the application of productive projects, institutional strengthening, and implementation of the Principles of Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI). Given the smallholding conditions of the Jauja territory and the proliferation of commercial guinea pig breeding, the actors in this chain constitute a key human capital for development. To improve the performance of the actors in the sustainable rural development of the territory of Jauja, Peru, the research carried out an evaluation of the competencies and capabilities for project management in 46 actors linked to the business programme on the CFS-RAI Principles, representing 1094 people in the guinea pig value chain in Jauja, using the Working With People (WWP) model and empirical instruments based on the Octagon method, project management competence evaluation, performance evaluation carried out by experts, attitudinal evaluation. and the Business Model Canvas. The results have helped to structure the actors of the value chain, who show an intermediate mastery of project management competencies (2.73/5), institutional capabilities in development (2.89/7), and a growing organisational management performance (26.2/100). In addition, trust and proactivity have been generated among the actors in the chain, with an interest in continuing with the implementation of the CFS-RAI Principles in order to achieve sustainability in their productive projects with commercial innovation. The results have allowed us to generate the design of an innovative programme for the development of competencies, which balances the three dimensions of project management competencies (perspective, people, and practice), as defined by the International Project Management Association (IPMA), in connection with the CFS-RAI Principles. Both processes complement the strengthening of human capital in agrifood value chains through sustainable project management and contributing to sustainable development in the region.

Abstract This study, conducted using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique and Cointegration analysis, explores the dynamic impacts of economic and environmental factors on agricultural productivity in Somalia, spanning from 1990 to 2023. This study incorporates domestic investment, carbon dioxide emissions, rural population growth, and rainfall. The findings, which have significant practical implications, reveal that increasing domestic investment and rural population growth positively influence agricultural output over the long term. This underscores the crucial role of investing in agricultural infrastructure and human capital development. Conversely, higher carbon dioxide emissions negatively impact agricultural productivity, highlighting the urgent need to mitigate climate change effects. Moreover, rainfall emerges as a crucial factor positively affecting agricultural output, emphasizing the importance of water management and conservation efforts. These findings lead to several practical policy recommendations to enhance agricultural productivity in Somalia, including investments in agricultural infrastructure, mitigation of carbon emissions, support for rural development, and promotion of water management and conservation initiatives. Implementing these recommendations can contribute to achieving sustainable agricultural growth, improving food security, and fostering economic development in Somalia, aligning with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals.

This paper examines computer technology's role in digital village development. It analyzes how foundational, applied, and governance technologies impact rural growth and explores their practical use in agriculture, product distribution, and governance. Using Guizhou, Zhejiang, and Sichuan as cases, the research highlights key technology adoption factors—infrastructure, farmers' willingness, and associated social benefits. It identifies challenges: underdeveloped infrastructure, skilled worker shortages, and data security concerns. The study proposes growth strategies via technology investment, human capital development, and institutional reform, offering insights into agricultural modernization and rural revitalization through digital means.

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In the era of the «knowledge economy», human capital is a significant component of sustainable and balanced development of all industries and the region as a whole. The article is devoted to the consideration of labor potential, as well as identifying the role of investment in human capital on labor productivity in the agricultural sector of the economy of the Republic of Tatarstan. Studying the role of investment in human capital in the agricultural sector makes it possible to formulate a strategy for the development of the region and develop measures aimed at its imp rovement.

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Effective investments in rural irrigation infrastructure are critical for sustainable agricultural development and rural revitalization. This study investigates how social capital influences farmers’ investment in public infrastructure in terms of management and maintenance of irrigation facilities in rural Xinjiang, China. By using field survey data from 700 farmers in southern Xinjiang, we distinguished traditional social capital from newly emerged social capital (accumulated aid assigned to Xinjiang governors by upper authorities) and found that (1) both social capitals significantly facilitate farmers’ investment in managing and maintaining irrigation maintenance, particularly the latter; (2) the main influencing mechanism is twofold, directly promoting irrigation investments and indirectly stimulating participation in non-agricultural employment. These findings suggest that policy interventions should simultaneously strengthen rural social networks and improve non-agricultural employment services to foster collective action in investing in public irrigation system management and maintenance.

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PurposeThis study investigates how agricultural technology (AgTech) innovation, from the perspective of rural women farmers, enhances green knowledge management (GKM) dimensions – namely acquisition, sharing and application – to drive sustainable farming. Additionally, it explores the moderating role of green intellectual capital (GIC) in strengthening the relationship between GKM dimensions and sustainable farming.Design/methodology/approachGuided by a post-positivist philosophical stance, the study employed a quantitative methodological approach and survey strategy. Data were collected from 450 purposively sampled rural women farmers engaged in livestock farming, mixed farming and crop production across three agriculturally vibrant regions in Ghana. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe results reveal that AgTech significantly influences sustainable farming and the GKM dimensions of acquisition, sharing and application. Moreover, GKM dimensions partially mediate the relationship between AgTech and sustainable farming, while GIC moderates the relationship between GKM dimensions and sustainable farming, further strengthening their impact.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to integrate the natural resource-based view (NRBV), knowledge-based view (KBV) and resource-based view (RBV) to explore the interrelationships among AgTech, green knowledge management (GKM) and green intellectual capital (GIC) in promoting sustainable agriculture. It offers a novel theoretical contribution by combining these frameworks to explain sustainability outcomes in an underexplored context. Empirically, the study addresses a significant gap by focusing on rural women farmers in a developing economy, an often-overlooked group, in agri-digital research. Methodologically, it demonstrates the robustness of structural equation modeling (SEM) in capturing complex relationships among knowledge, resources and sustainability in agricultural systems.

Globalization has led to a capital transformation that alters culture, values, and human attitudes, making people more individualistic. Social capital acts as a social glue by fostering trust, social norms, cooperation, and a sense of community. This paper will discuss how social capital can be a driving factor for the survival of communal cattle. We conducted this research in Kulwaru Village, Special Region of Yogyakarta. This study used a qualitative approach with data collection through observation, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), in-depth interviews with key informants, and study of program-related documents. The data obtained were then analyzed using an interactive model. The results of the study show that the existence of social capital in the communal cattle in Kulwaru Village has a vital role in shaping social values in society, such as trust, norms, social relations, and cooperation which provides strong bonds in communities both in bonding, bridging, and linking. This factor has made the communal cattle survive for the last twelve years. The findings of this research will contribute to understanding and harnessing the social capital of rural communities; it is possible to support the continuation of this traditional practice and contribute to the economic and cultural well-being of the communities involved.

Social capital is one of the seven fundamental capitals provided to groups or communities. Social capital is used to facilitate interpersonal interactions within a community or group. But nonetheless, only a small number of particular farmer groups, like the Sekar Putih Farming Group, have adopted organic farming methods to produce organic rice. One of the innovators and leaders in the production of organic rice is the Sekar Putih Farmer Group, who interpret the need for cohesiveness in interpersonal relationships. In theory, farmer groups are created because of the members' shared vision, mission, and goals as well as their shared work, which upholds the group's cohesiveness. 25 farmers were used as respondents with data collection using interview techniques, quantitative descriptive and scoring as data analysis methods. The results obtained are the formation of dynamics in farmer institutions, 37% of members have experienced conflicts but conflicts make the group more developed and conflicts can be controlled through equal empowerment. Social capital owned by the group has a high score, bonding social capital shows the togetherness of farmers in every cultivation process carried out and the distribution of information evenly to all group members. For bridging, it is shown by the number of training and empowerment programs that are often held and the Sekar Putih Group gets the opportunity to improve hard and soft skills in the cultivation process and information on market opportunities. In linking social capital, there is high trust in the acquisition of information related to fertilizers, pesticides and markets, this is inseparable from the communication that occurs among group members, both individually and in groups, relationships and interactions that are established can provide many positive sides.

This research explores the close links between social capital and food security in the rural communities of North Luwu Regency, Indonesia, focusing on the valuable insights gained from agroforestry practices. Using a qualitative approach grounded in social capital theory, the study examines how key indicators—social networks, trust, communal values, and participation—significantly influence regional food production. The findings show that strong social networks, which include relationships with neighbors, family, friends, and farmer groups, positively impact trust, cooperation, and farm efficiency. Trust, often passed down through generations of farming knowledge, remains an important factor, although its dynamics are shifting with changing livelihoods and increasing reliance on agroforestry. Communal values, embodied in agroforestry practices, strengthen individual and collective identities among farmers. Finally, participation in agricultural activities remains essential in understanding social capital’s resilience in agroforestry communities, although it is declining among the younger generation. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to strengthen the social fabric of these rural communities by strengthening networks, fostering trust, preserving communal values, and encouraging active participation. Ultimately, the study provides a clear picture of the close relationship between social capital and food security. It confirms that solid interactions between social structures and agricultural practices are crucial in shaping resilient and sustainable rural communities that meet their food needs.

Households combine capital assets in a process involving human agency and resourcefulness to construct livelihood strategies and generate well-being outcomes. Here, we (1) characterized types of livelihood strategies; (2) determined how different capital assets are associated with different livelihood strategies; and (3) determined how livelihood strategies differed in food security outcomes. We conducted a survey in southwestern Ethiopia and used principal component and cluster analyses. Five types of livelihood strategies, which differed mainly in food and cash crops comprising the strategy, were identified. These were, in order of decreasing food security: ‘three food crops, coffee and khat’, n = 68; ‘three food crops and khat’, n = 59; ‘two food crops, coffee and khat’, n = 78; ‘two food crops and khat’, n = 88; and ‘one food crop, coffee and khat’, n = 44. The livelihood strategy ‘three food crops, coffee and khat’ was associated with a wide range of capital assets, particularly having larger aggregate farm field size and learning from other farmers. A generalized linear model showed that livelihood strategies were significantly associated with food security outcomes. Particularly, a high number of food crops in a strategy was linked with relatively high food security. In this context, diversified livelihood strategies primarily through having a mix of food crops for subsistence, in combination with cash crops for income, are important for food security. This suggests a need to rethink dominant policy narratives, which have a narrow focus on increasing productivity and commercialization as the primary pathway to food security.

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