Contribution of Standardization to Agricultural Development in China

Abstract

As a key facilitator of agricultural technology diffusion, the development and implementation of agricultural standards significantly shape future agricultural technology innovation. This study analyzes China’s agricultural economic development from 2004 to 2019. It integrates agricultural standard stocks and patent stocks into a Cobb–Douglas production function. Patents serve as a proxy for technological progress, reflecting innovation capacity, while standards represent the institutionalization and diffusion of technological advancements. The analysis focuses on the average annual growth rates of agricultural capital, labor, patents, and standards to clarify their respective contributions to agricultural development. The results show that capital contributes 19.951%, though constrained by inefficiencies. Labor accounts for 38.779% but shows negative elasticity (−0.403%), reflecting the decline of rural labor and the need for mechanization. Patents contribute the most at 42.021%, though limited by weak technology diffusion. Agricultural standards contribute 5.323%, with their impact restricted by adoption barriers. The findings highlight the growing role of technological innovation in agriculture. Strengthening standardization systems and promoting broader adoption of agricultural standards are key to advancing sustainable agricultural development in China.

Keywords

• standardization
• agriculture
• production function
• agricultural development
• agricultural economics