Agriculture

Amid global population growth and the pressures of climate change, traditional factors in driving grain production are increasingly inadequate. In this context, this study utilizes panel data from 31 provinces in China (2001–2022) to examine the impact of digitalization (DG), technological innovation (TI), and financial innovation (FI) on grain production (GP). Specifically, the study constructs a comprehensive evaluation framework where DG is measured by mobile communication penetration, TI by agricultural R&D expenditure, and FI by the loan-to-GDP ratio of financial institutions. Employing a fixed effects model, the empirical results demonstrate that DG, TI, and FI yield significant positive returns on GP, with elasticity coefficients of 0.262, 10.675 and 6.589, respectively. Furthermore, synergistic effects are observed, where the interaction between DG and TI (coefficient 0.0402 × 10⁻³) and between DG and FI (coefficient 0.221 × 10⁻²) significantly amplify production capacity. Channel analysis reveals that DG and TI promote GP by fostering agricultural industrial agglomeration, TI and FI by advancing agricultural mechanization, and DG and FI by expanding the agricultural insurance scale. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that these factors significantly boost GP in major grain-producing regions but are insignificant in grain production–marketing balanced regions. In major grain-consuming regions, DG has an adverse effect, TI has no significant impact, and FI has a positive effect. Additionally, in non-humid regions, the positive impacts of DG, TI, and FI on GP are greater.

Carrot (Daucus carota) is one of the most important vegetable crops, and as a cross-pollinated species, it relies on insect pollinators for successful seed set. However, carrot flowers are not highly attractive to honeybees (Apis mellifera), which are the main managed pollinators. During the 2023–2024 season, a field experiment was conducted on commercial carrot seed plantations to evaluate the effect of a pollinator attractant on pollinator abundance and its impact on seed yield. Pollinating insects were observed during the carrot flowering period, between 20 May and 22 July, and their response to spraying with the attractant Biopolin^® (ICB Pharma) was assessed. A total of nine observations were conducted, and carrot seed yield was analyzed, including germination capacity. The application of the attractant increased the number of pollinating insects by 24 individuals/m²/10 min, from 57 to 81 individuals/m²/10 min. The dominant groups were honeybees and Rhagonycha fulva, with the latter becoming increasingly abundant as flowering progressed. Both honeybees and other pollinators (wild pollinators) showed higher visitation rates on attractant-treated plots. The treated plots also produced higher seed yield and greater thousand-seed weight. The results confirm the effectiveness of using attractants in commercial carrot seed production to enhance pollinator activity and improve yield parameters.

Efficient irrigation water management is critical in regions subject to high hydroclimatic variability, where agricultural production strongly depends on how water resources are allocated and used. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of distributed irrigation water volumes on maize production and to evaluate differences in irrigation performance among irrigation districts (IDs) in Sinaloa, Mexico, for the period 1999–2022. Official records from the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) for seven IDs were analyzed using a fixed-effects panel data model based on a balanced panel database constructed from annual irrigation water distribution and maize production statistics, which control for unobserved district-level heterogeneity and interannual variability to identify the water–production relationship. In addition, a Relative Water Performance Index (RWPI) based on water productivity was computed to standardize comparisons across districts and agricultural cycles characterized by contrasting hydroclimatic conditions, including the extreme frost event of 2011 and the severe drought of 2012. The results show a positive and statistically significant relationship between irrigation water volumes and maize production, along with marked structural heterogeneity across districts. The RWPI captured generalized performance declines during extreme years and differentiated districts according to productive stability, reflecting management adjustments, as well as crop rotation or reconversion strategies. Overall, the combined econometric and index-based approach provides quantitative evidence to support adaptive irrigation water management under climate variability.