Agricultural technology progress is crucial for balancing food security and farmer income growth. Based on panel data from 30 Chinese provinces (2011–2022), this study measures agricultural technology progress using the DEA-Malmquist index and constructs a Food Security and Farmer Income Coordination Index via a coupling coordination model. Employing a two-way fixed effects model, the empirical results show that: (1) The progress of agricultural technology can significantly improve the level of their coordinated development, and its marginal effect is about 1.3%, which is still significant after overcoming the endogenous problems. (2) This promoting effect is more pronounced in Northeast China, non-main production areas, hilly terrain, and economically developed provinces. (3) Land circulation plays a positive role in this process, that is, it can amplify the empowering effect of technological progress on their synergy. The conclusion shows that systematically promoting agricultural technology iteration and innovation, simultaneously deepening rural land system reform and promoting the orderly circulation of management rights are the key policy paths to solve the double dilemma of “ensuring supply” and “increasing income” and realize the coordinated development of food security and farmers’ income.
Danqi Wei (Wed,) studied this question.