Jinyu Zhang Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Email: jinyuzhang996@gmail.com
Mariney Mohd Yusoff Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Email: mariney@um.edu.my
Tengku Adeline Adura Tengku Hamzah Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Email: adelineadura@um.edu.my

Abstract:

Agricultural economy is a cornerstone of global development and sustainability, as it not only provides food security but also drives rural and urban livelihoods, shapes trade relations, and impacts ecosystems, making it an essential component of the world's socio-economic and environmental fabric. The present research explored the coordinated growth pattern of urbanization and the agricultural economy in rural China, with a particular emphasis on the role of climate change and urban development as mediators. The research collected data from 329 farmers and inhabitants of Shanghai, China's urban regions, using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The study findings highlighted that attitudes toward urbanization development have a significant positive impact on agricultural productivity, which is mediated by both climate change and urbanization. Furthermore, the willingness to consume and willingness to live sub-dimensions had a greater positive impact on agricultural productivity than willingness to travel. The sub-dimension of urban economic development was more effective at mediating than urban social development. The present study has several policy and practice implications, including the need to promote a more coordinated development mode that considers the interconnected factors of urbanization, agriculture, and climate change.

Keywords:Agricultural Economy, Agricultural Productivity, Attitude Towards Urbanization Development, Urban Development, Urban Economic Development, Urban Social Development.