Dynamic effects of internet use on green agricultural technology adoption: evidence from five-wave panel data in rural China (2014–2022)

Introduction Internet access is rapidly expanding in rural China, yet its role in promoting green agricultural technology (GAT) adoption remains unclear. This study examines whether and how internet use affects GAT adoption among Chinese farmers, including temporal dynamics and underlying mechanisms. Methods We use five waves of nationally representative panel data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS, 2014-2022), comprising 8,652 household-wave observations. Fixed-effects estimation and instrumental variable (2SLS) approaches address endogeneity. Mediation analysis tests three mechanisms: information access, environmental awareness, and social network expansion. Results Internet use significantly promotes GAT adoption (beta = 3.652, p < 0.01), robust across specifications. Lagged effects persist up to four years, and marginal returns increase with cumulative online experience. Social network expansion is the dominant mechanism (13.50% of total effect), followed by information access (11.47%) and environmental awareness (6.22%). Heterogeneity analysis shows stronger effects for younger, better-educated, and larger-scale farmers. Discussion Digital connectivity advances agricultural sustainability, but benefits are unevenly distributed, raising digital divide concerns. Policies should combine connectivity investment with digital literacy training and targeted support for disadvantaged farmers.