The Impact of Rural E-Commerce on Farmers’ Income Gap: Implications for Farmers’ Sustainable Development

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(9), P. 3921 - 3921

Published: April 26, 2025

Income inequality impedes rural economic development. As the digital economy advances, e-commerce (EC) offers a novel solution to reduce income inequality. Based on framework of equality opportunity theory, this research utilizes data from China Rural Revitalization Survey, using RIF model and mediation effect investigate influence mechanisms operations (EOs) farmers’ gap (FIG), while also analyzing heterogeneity EO’s effects FIG. Consequently, impact varying scales modes EOs FIG is further examined. The findings indicate that EO can substantially diminish FIG, as corroborated by robustness endogeneity tests. intermediate diminishes reducing disparity in labor endowment. study results indicated are more effective western China, major grain-producing areas, mountainous areas. Further discussion reveals stronger reduction large-scale platform EC. This provides micro-level evidence empowers farmers for sustainable development prosperity. government should improve EC support create mechanism disadvantaged populations. To discrepancies promote farmer equity, specific assistance programs undeveloped regions needed. Local governments strengthen skill training farmers, especially low-income ones, boost skills. Finally, they assist EC’s transformation large scale flat, maximize its role employment, narrow

Language: Английский

Rural E-Commerce and Income Inequality: Evidence from China

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(10), P. 4720 - 4720

Published: May 21, 2025

Common prosperity is the fundamental driving force of rural revitalization, as well foundation for achieving sustainable economic development. The e-commerce to countryside policy has energized economy, helping improve household resilience and reduce income stratification, thereby promoting inclusive development digital economy. Drawing on panel data collected from fixed observation points in Henan Province during 2009–2022, this study employs a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) approach evaluate impact China’s farmers’ inequality. empirical results reveal that significantly increases while mitigating underlying mechanisms function through three synergistic pathways: industrial structural upgrading, manifested tri-sector integration driven by enterprise development; factor allocation restructuring, evidenced productivity gains optimized labor–capital reallocation; enhanced market inclusion technology empowerment lowers participation barriers. Heterogeneity analysis indicates exhibits pro-poor characteristics, with its income-enhancing equalizing effects being particularly pronounced agricultural areas, traditional villages, county-level civilized underdeveloped regions, registered poverty-stricken households low human, physical, financial capital endowments. These findings confirm efficacy among vulnerable populations. Consequently, provides replicable implementation framework common objectives.

Language: Английский