Supplementary file 1_Impact of digital technology on farmland transfer and food security: an empirical study in rural China.docx

By optimizing the mechanism of farmland transfer, digital technology promotes large-scale and mechanized operation, significantly improves agricultural production efficiency and resource utilization rate, which provides key support for ensuring food security. Using panel data of Rural Fixed Observation Point in Henan Province from 2009 to 2022, this study empirically investigates the impact of Internet access on farmland transfer and constructs a mathematical theoretical model to study the potential mechanism. This study finds that the Internet access of farmers can promote the transfer of farmland. The potential mechanisms are the resource reallocation effect triggered by increased non-farm employment and income, the efficiency-enhancing effect of agricultural production driven by digital technology, and the transaction facilitation effect brought about by lower information costs. Heterogeneity analysis shows that in terms of policy support, the increase of grain purchase price and direct subsidy positively regulate the willingness to transfer; In terms of farmers’ capital endowment, the groups with high human capital and physical capital are more inclined to transfer out of farmland, while the households with high land capital show the characteristics of farmland dependence, and the households with high information capital have a stronger willingness to transfer farmland; In terms of economic and cultural attributes, farmers located in agricultural areas, underdeveloped areas and traditional villages also have stronger willingness to transfer farmland. These findings not only help to release the potential of land factors but also provide a feasible path for small farmers to connect with modern agriculture through technology empowerment, which has dual practical value for ensuring food security and promoting rural revitalization.

数字技术通过优化农地流转（farmland transfer）机制，推动农业规模化、机械化经营，显著提升农业生产效率与资源利用率，为保障粮食安全提供关键支撑。本研究采用河南省2009-2022年农村固定观察点（Rural Fixed Observation Point）面板数据（panel data），实证检验互联网接入（Internet access）对农地流转的影响，并构建数理理论模型探究其潜在作用机制。研究发现，农户互联网接入能够促进农地流转。其潜在作用机制包括：非农就业（non-farm employment）与收入提升引发的资源再配置效应、数字技术驱动下农业生产的效率提升效应，以及信息成本降低带来的交易便利化效应。异质性分析（heterogeneity analysis）表明：在政策支持维度，粮食收购价格提升与直接补贴对农地流转意愿具有正向调节作用；在农户资本禀赋维度，人力资本与物质资本水平较高的群体更倾向于转出农地，而土地资本水平较高的农户则表现出农地依赖特征，信息资本水平较高的农户农地流转意愿更强；在经济与文化属性维度，位于农业产区、欠发达地区及传统村落的农户，其农地流转意愿同样更强。上述研究结论既有助于释放土地要素潜力，也为小农户通过技术赋能对接现代农业提供了可行路径，对于保障粮食安全与推进乡村振兴具有双重实践价值。