Research on the Realization of Rural Ecological Product Value Empowered by Digital Technology

Abstract

The realization of rural ecological product value is a crucial measure for implementing the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" and for promoting rural revitalization. Digital technology provides essential support for overcoming the challenges in this value realization process. This paper first defines the core concepts of rural ecological products and their value realization, along with the theoretical foundations, and analyzes the current status of realizing the value of rural ecological products. While progress has been made in areas such as ecological product supply, market-oriented trading systems, financial product innovation, and policy support, significant challenges remain, encapsulated as the "four difficulties": difficulty in measurement, difficulty in using as collateral, difficulty in trading, and difficulty in monetization. The research argues that digital technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, blockchain, and artificial intelligence fundamentally reshape the entire process of ecological products—from monitoring and accounting to rights confirmation, trading, and management. This is achieved by establishing four core empowerment mechanisms: precise value assessment and quantification, digital rights confirmation, credible and efficient linkage, and value safeguarding. Furthermore, the paper proposes specific empowerment pathways, including strengthening digital infrastructure, constructing a digital value assessment system, promoting digital transformation in production processes, building digital circulation and marketing systems, advancing digital extension of the industrial chain, improving digital supervision and benefit distribution mechanisms, and enhancing the digital literacy of rural stakeholders. This study aims to enrich the theoretical framework for ecological product value realization and provide practical references for local governments in formulating relevant policies and promoting the transformation and upgrading of the rural ecological industry.