Examining the path of urban–rural industry convergence and its impacts on farmers’ income growth: evidence from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China

Keqiao Su, Ruixue Wang, Ze Han, Jiancheng Chen and Xiangzheng Deng ()
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Keqiao Su: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, School of Economics and Management
Ruixue Wang: Beijing Forestry University, School of Economics and Management
Ze Han: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research
Jiancheng Chen: Beijing Forestry University, School of Economics and Management
Xiangzheng Deng: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research

Annals of Operations Research, 2025, vol. 355, issue 1, No 37, 1067 pages

Abstract: Abstract Urban–rural industry convergence is a critical factor in addressing the dual urban–rural structure, as it has the potential to increase agricultural productivity and update the industry structure. This study aims to assess the mechanisms through which urban–rural industry convergence affects farmers’ incomes in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. First, we developed an evaluation framework to measure urban–rural industry convergence and conducted an exploratory spatiotemporal data analysis to assess the trends in convergence across 99 districts and counties in Xinjiang between 2001 and 2020. Thereafter, using an econometric model, we then analyzed the mediating effects of industrial structure upgrading on the relationship between urban–rural industry convergence and farmers’ income, and the implementation path. The results indicated that urban–rural industrial convergence in Xinjiang has fluctuated and declined over time, with a spatial distribution skewed from north to south. Moreover, it was found that urban–rural industry convergence and industrial structure upgrading significantly contribute to the growth of farmers’ income. Additionally, the impact pathway analysis revealed that urban–rural industry convergence promotes industrial structure upgrading, thereby stimulating growth in farmers’ incomes. This positive effect had long-term implications and became more noticeable over time due to cumulative effects. Furthermore, the effects of urban–rural industry convergence on farmers’ income varied depending on income levels. It had a significant positive effect on the income of low-income farmers but a negative effect on high-income farmers. Moreover, the impact of the digital economy on farmers’ incomes varied based on regional and group differences, particularly affecting low, medium, and medium–high-income groups in northern Xinjiang. These findings provided empirical evidence for promoting urban–rural industry convergence and increasing farmers’ incomes, contributing to both theoretical and practical understanding of the subject matter.

Keywords: Urban–rural industry convergence; Farmers; Income growth; Industrial structure upgrading; Digital economy; Mediating effect (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s10479-023-05762-z

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