Purpose This paper aims to investigate whether the promotion of high-value agriculture (HVA) in China contributes to rural income inequality and to identify the mechanisms through which such impacts may arise. The study focuses on the national advantageous agricultural product zones (NAAPZ) policy as a key policy intervention to promote HVA. Design/methodology/approach The study uses the staggered implementation of the NAAPZ policy as a quasi-natural experiment. It draws on four waves of micro-level panel data from the China Family Panel Studies covering 2016 to 2022, comprising over 29,000 observations. A double machine learning framework is employed to control for high-dimensional household and regional characteristics flexibly, enhancing the robustness of causal inference. Findings The findings show that NAAPZ policy significantly increases rural household income inequality, with the household-level Kakwani index rising by an average of 0.033. Mechanism analyses confirm an elite capture effect, as households with higher education and stronger digital capacity disproportionately benefit from entrepreneurial and non-farm opportunities. Spatial disparities also emerge: households in township centers or county seats gain more than those in peripheral villages. Further, sectoral heterogeneity is evident – crop-oriented programs are strongly associated with rising inequality, whereas livestock initiatives show no significant effect. Finally, governance differences matter: city-level initiatives exert more substantial inequality impacts than county-level ones. Practical implications These findings highlight a policy paradox: although NAAPZ is designed to foster inclusive rural growth, it may unintentionally amplify disparities. Policy measures should therefore include targeted training for disadvantaged households, microcredit access for resource-poor farmers, infrastructure investment in peripheral regions and safeguards against elite capture to ensure more equitable outcomes. Originality/value This paper provides the micro-level causal evidence on the distributional impacts of HVA in China, combining a quasi-experimental design with advanced machine learning methods. It reveals individual-level and spatial mechanisms – specifically elite capture and spatial differences – through which agricultural modernization policies may influence income inequality. The insights offer valuable guidance for other developing economies seeking to balance economic upgrading with social equity.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to unveil the role of short-form video platforms (SVPs) in changing the dietary quality of rural households, based on the primary data collected from rural households in China. Design/methodology/approach The Poisson regression with endogenous treatment effects and linear regression with endogenous treatment effects models are used to estimate the impact of SVP usage on the dietary quality and food intake of rural households, respectively. The quantile regression model is applied to evaluate the effect of SVP usage on the distribution of household dietary quality. The mediation model is employed to explore the mediating role of knowledge acquisition between SVP usage and the diet quality distance (DQD) of rural households. Findings The results reveal that (1) SVP usage decreases the DQD and low bound score of rural households by 6.5 and 9.067, respectively, while increasing the high bound score of rural households by 8.359. Specifically, SVP usage increases the consumption of cereals and tubers, vegetables and dairy products and decreases the consumption of cooking oil. (2) SVP usage decreases the DQD of households by enhancing diet-related knowledge acquisition. (3) SVP usage decreases the DQD of households by 9.305 among lower-income households. SVP usage decreases the DQD of households with more members by 5.999 and those with fewer members by 4.248. Practical implications Policymakers can be aware of the benefits of SVPs in improving the dietary balance level of rural households, thereby encouraging content creators to share diet-related knowledge among rural residents through SVPs. Originality/value This study bridges the empirical gap by examining how SVP usage influences household dietary quality and identifies knowledge acquisition as a key mediator in the pathway through which SVP usage affects the DQD of rural households.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of climate information intervention on farmers' tendency to adopt climate adaptation strategies in agricultural production. Design/methodology/approach A randomized controlled trial is used to conduct two types of climate information interventions through short-form videos, and then data from farmers in the control and treatment groups are collected. The negative binomial regression model is employed to analyze the impact of climate information intervention on farmers' adoption willingness of climate adaptation strategies. The mediating effect model is applied to further detect the mediating role of farmers' cognition between climate information intervention and farmers' adoption willingness. Findings The results show that: (1) The average adoption willingness intensity in treatment group CII (crop-specific information intervention) is 29.48% higher than that in the control group. For treatment group GII (general information intervention), the average adoption willingness is 27.94% higher than that of the control group. (2) Two types of climate information interventions significantly influenced farmers' willingness to adopt climate adaptation strategies. In particular, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of CII group indicates that farmers receiving CII showed a 55.3% higher adoption willingness compared to those who did not receive interventions. Similarly, the IRR of GII group suggests that farmers exposed to the GII had a 53.7% higher adoption willingness than those who did not receive interventions. (3) Climate cognition plays an important mediating role between information interventions and farmers' adoption willingness of climate adaptation strategies. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study first attempts to conduct two types of climate information interventions (CII and GII) using emerging short-form videos, which are more acceptable to smallholder farmers. This study also provides new evidence to reveal how climate information intervention affects farmers' adoption willingness of climate adaptation strategies.

Purpose In response to trade disputes with the USA and Canada, while the United States and Canada have weaponized tariffs as a trade policy tool, China has weaponized food as a foreign policy tool by targeting agricultural imports from these countries. This paper highlights interdependencies in food security, market access, and diplomacy, offering a comparison between Sino-US and Sino-Canada relations in contemporary times. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on trade data as well as academic literature, government reports, and policy documents to contextualize historic trade dynamics and trace the buildup to recent disputes. Using a comparative framework, we analyze how Sino-US and Sino-Canada relations have shaped, and continue to shape, agri-food trade flows. Findings Our analysis reveals structural vulnerabilities in both US and Canadian agricultural exports to China, emphasizing how reliance on a narrow set of commodities leaves both countries exposed to economic losses resulting from China’s trade policies. Simultaneously, China’s dependence on a limited number of suppliers for large volumes of key commodities makes it vulnerable to price volatility and supply uncertainty. Research limitations/implications As China’s global economic footprint grows, so does its capacity and willingness to shape trade relationships in ways that align with its broader geopolitical and domestic policy objectives. This paper has analyzed the trade dynamics between China and two of its most important agri-food partners—the United States and Canada—through historical, comparative, and policy lenses and draws insights that may inform and shape future policy directions for respective countries with significant implications for international trade and the world economy. Social implications The evolution of China’s agricultural trade relations with the United States and Canada underscores a profound shift in the global political economy—one in which interdependence can no longer be taken as a guarantee of stability, and where strategic considerations increasingly influence the trade flows. The comparative analysis of China-US and China-Canada agricultural trade relations highlights the complex interplay between economic interdependence, geopolitical tensions, and strategic vulnerabilities and carries significant social, economic, and political implications. Originality/value Building on prior research that has identified sensitivities in Sino-US and Sino-Canada agricultural trade, this paper offers a novel perspective in a comparative analysis of how the Sino-US and Sino-Canada agricultural trades evolve over time and how China manages its agricultural trade with both countries, especially under the current Trump tariff shocks.

Purpose The slow-paced energy transition in rural areas has become a significant factor constraining rural development. Risk preferences play a crucial role in decision-making in rural household energy transition. The purpose of this paper is to explore how risk preferences affect rural energy transitions and to make targeted policy recommendations. Design/methodology/approach This paper utilizes survey data from 744 rural households in Shaanxi Province of China and employs experimental economic methods to measure the levels of risk aversion and loss aversion, systematically examining the impacts of risk preferences on rural household energy transition. Findings This study finds that risk preferences have a significant effect on the variety of energy sources used by rural households. Those with higher levels of risk aversion and loss aversion tend to use fewer types of energy sources and are more inclined to use primitive fuels. Additionally, household income, credit participation, and access to information can all mitigate the inhibitory effect on energy transition caused by risk preferences. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study presents an innovative analysis of the reasons for the slow rural energy transition from the viewpoint of risk preferences and explores its underlying mechanisms. Combined with theoretical modeling, this study provides a new perspective for understanding the characteristics of rural energy transition and explaining the energy utility paradox.

Purpose This study examines whether, how and under what conditions high-value agriculture (HVA), as embodied in the characteristic agricultural product advantageous areas (CAPAs) policy, helps reduce the urban–rural income gap (URIG). Design/methodology/approach Exploiting panel data covering 1,723 counties in China from 2014 to 2022, this study employs a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) approach based on the quasi-natural experiment of the CAPAs policy to evaluate whether HVA narrows the URIG. It further identifies the underlying mechanisms, heterogeneous effects across five product types and the synergies between CAPAs and other rural development policies. Findings The CAPAs policy significantly reduces the URIG. This effect is primarily achieved through improving factor allocation, strengthening agricultural branding and fostering specialized agricultural entities. The impact varies across product types–CAPAs focused on grains, economic crops and livestock products significantly contribute to narrowing the gap. In contrast, those centered on forestry products tend to exacerbate inequality, and CAPAs for aquatic and horticultural products are statistically insignificant. Furthermore, policies such as socialized agricultural services, rural e-commerce, agricultural credit and agricultural insurance substantially enhance the effectiveness of CAPAs in reducing the URIG. Originality/value This study aims to fill the gap in causally identifying the impact and mechanisms of HVA on the URIG, while also examining agricultural product heterogeneity and policy complementarities, thereby providing insights for the governance of urban–rural transformation in developing economies.

Purpose This study aims to examine how women’s decision-making power affects input use and economic returns in Sri Lanka’s smallholder tea sector. Design/methodology/approach This study constructs a multidimensional empowerment index using household survey data from 678 tea-producing households and applies the conditional mixed process model to address endogeneity. Robustness is verified through propensity score matching, and heterogeneity analysis is conducted by farm size. Findings Results show that higher women’s decision-making power significantly increases fertilizer and pesticide expenditures. The heterogeneity analysis reveals that these input effects are more evident among small tea farms. Women’s decision-making power increases are also associated with higher tea yield and revenue, confirming a positive impact on economic returns. These outcomes are particularly evident on large farms. Practical implications Promoting sustainable input management through training on integrated pest and nutrient management can balance productivity and environmental outcomes. Improving women’s access to credit, assets and technical knowledge is crucial for converting participation into perceptible income gains. Differentiated support by farm size can enhance policy effectiveness. Originality/value This study develops a context-specific multidimensional empowerment index that captures all women’s roles in household decision-making. It also examines input use and economic returns jointly, which provides a more integrated understanding of empowerment outcomes.

Purpose This article aims to identify the structural characteristics of China’s agricultural collaborative innovation network (ACIN) and explore the mechanisms influencing its formation. Design/methodology/approach Utilizing the data of agricultural science and technology co-authored papers, cooperative patents and jointly authorized varieties from 2012 to 2023, we adopt Social Network Analysis to identify the whole structural characteristics of the ACIN and apply Exponential Random Graph Model to investigate the influence mechanisms of the ACIN formation. Findings ACIN formation is jointly promoted by agricultural science, technology and innovation (ASTI) capability, openness breadth, geographical province assortativity and geographical neighbor assortativity, albeit with gradually diminishing positive impacts. In contrast, openness depth, ASTI investment foundation, ASTI benefit foundation, organization assortativity, society assortativity and ASTI capability assortativity generally impede ACIN formation, though these negative effects weaken over time. Originality/value We innovatively explore agricultural science and technology collaborative innovation (ASTCI) enhancement through network optimization. Defining the connotation of the national ACIN, we comprehensively demonstrate and analyze the influence mechanisms of the national ACIN formation from the combined influence of endogenous and exogenous factors.

Purpose Previous research has found an association between with early childhood development (ECD) and paternal beliefs and evidence suggests that paternal beliefs about their own role in child rearing might affect parental involvement. However, there has been no such empirical study in rural China. This study examines the interrelationships among paternal beliefs, parental involvement and ECD among rural Chinese children. Design/methodology/approach Data used for this study were collected from 6-to-42-month-old children and their primary caregivers in southwestern China in 2020. ECD was assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III. Paternal beliefs were assessed with the Role of the Father Questionnaire. The non-parametric regression methods were used to construct the factor scores of ECD. The ordinary least squares models, the mediation models and the bootstrapping approach were employed to investigate the interrelationships of paternal beliefs, parental involvement and ECD. Findings A large share of the sample children displayed delays in cognitive, language and social-emotional development. Paternal involvement significantly mediated the link between paternal beliefs and child cognitive and social-emotional development, while maternal involvement mediated the associations between paternal beliefs and child language and social-emotional development. Originality/value This study provides a unique contribution by utilizing unique data fathers' beliefs and their involvement in parenting to investigate the underlying mechanisms of how the role of fathers in parenting can lead to the improvement of early child developmental outcomes. This study also provides the first empirical evidence on the role of paternal beliefs in fostering human capital formation during the early stages of life in rural China. This study suggests that shifting paternal beliefs and improving parental involvement are effective pathways to benefit rural children in their early development.