Study on the Impact of Digital Technology Application on the Choice of Green Production Behaviors of Family Farms: An Empirical Analysis Based on Survey Data from Henan Province
Study on the Impact of Digital Technology Application on the Choice of Green Production Behaviors of Family Farms: An Empirical Analysis Based on Survey Data from Henan Province
ZHANG Jianjie
School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Henan University of Economics and Law, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Abstract Based on a micro-survey of family farms in Henan Province, this study analyzes how digital technology adoption, in its multiple dimensions, affects green production behavior and the mechanisms involved. The results show that digital technology application and its three dimensions (digital identity authentication, digital channel selection and digital process management) exert significant positive effects on family farms’ adoption of green production practices, with digital channel selection manifesting the most pronounced impact. However, when green cognition is integrated into the mechanism analysis, digital channel selection demonstrates a weaker contribution relative to digital identity authentication and digital process management. The heterogeneity analysis indicates that, in general, the participation of family farms in cooperatives has strengthened the positive effect of digital technology application on the choice of green production behaviors. However, the impact at different dimensions failed to pass the test. For family farms that have been certified as “three products and one standard”, the promotion effect of digital identity authentication on their green production behavior choices is more significant than that of un-certified ones. However, there is no significant difference in the effects of digital channel selection and digital process management. Compared with economic crop family farms, the promotion effects of digital identity authentication and digital process management on the green production behavior choices of grain crop family farms are more obvious. The research conclusions hold significant theoretical and practical value for exploring a “digital-driven green” development pathway for family farms.
ZHANG Jianjie. Study on the Impact of Digital Technology Application on the Choice of Green Production Behaviors of Family Farms: An Empirical Analysis Based on Survey Data from Henan Province. Economic Survey, 2026, 43(2): 062.
2026, Vol. 43 
