Research on the spatiotemporal evolution and driving factors of the coupling coordination of agricultural DMG based on panel data

Under the strategic framework of the Chinese path to modernization, agricultural digitalization serves as the key technical support for building a new agricultural production system, while agricultural greening represents the value-oriented thread that guides development. The systematic reconstruction of eco-friendly production modes has become a strategic fulcrum for comprehensively promoting rural revitalization and accelerating the construction of a powerful agricultural country. This study utilized panel data from 30 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in China from 2012 to 2022 and constructed an indicator system based on three dimensions: agricultural digitalization, modernization, and greening (DMG). It empirically tested the spatiotemporal evolution and driving factors of the coupling coordination of agricultural DMG. The results indicated that: 1) A significant synergistic effect existed among the DMG systems of agriculture, and the overall coordination reached a moderate level by 2022. 2) Among different regions, the coordination level of DMG exhibited a spatial pattern, with the eastern and central regions outperforming the western and northeastern regions, and the differences between regions gradually converging. 3) Agricultural modernization was the core driving force, promoting the synergy of DMG by improving production efficiency and eco-friendly practices. 4) The potential for coupling and coordinated development varied significantly among provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) but showed a tendency toward balance. Based on these findings, the study proposes suggestions of promoting the integration of digital infrastructure and the construction of a digital agricultural talent system, improving regional coordination mechanisms led by modern agriculture, driving modernization transformation with agricultural technology investment, and implementing precise policies to unleash development potential and promote the green and sustainable development of agriculture.