Purpose This study analyzes the mechanism by which capitalization impacts green total factor productivity (GTFP) in pig production, revealing its operational pathways. The findings provide empirical evidence relevant for future research and support for green development in the pig farming industry. Design/methodology/approach Based on the provincial panel data of large-, medium- and small-scale pig farms from 2016 to 2023, the capitalization level and GTFP of different-sized pig farms were measured. The impact mechanism and path of capitalization and GTFP of pig farming were empirically examined using fixed effect models, moderated effect models and panel threshold models. Findings Capitalization has significantly enhanced the GTFP of large-scale and medium-scale pig farms. This conclusion remains valid after undergoing multiple robustness tests, but the impact on small-scale farms failed to pass the significance test. The results of the mechanism analysis show that in large-scale pig farms, industrial agglomeration and government support significantly enhance the positive impact of capitalization on the GTFP of pig farming. The panel threshold effect test reveals that in medium-sized livestock farms, the positive impact of capitalization on the GTFP of pig farming exhibits a nonlinear marginal increase. Originality/value This article puts forward policy suggestions such as improving the extensive development model, implementing differentiated and precise measures, and steadily advancing the process of pig farming capitalization.
Hua et al. (Tue,) studied this question.