Multi-channel technology spillovers of FDI and technology progress of agricultural firms: An analysis based on regional differences in economic development

In order to examine the differences in the spillover effects of foreign direct investment（FDI） under different economic development levels, this paper uses panel data of Chinese agricultural firms to analyze the impact of FDI on the technology progress of agricultural firms in six regions. The results show that underdeveloped regions could obtain positive spillovers by attracting employees from foreign firms, while developed regions could obtain incentives from the competitive effects of FDI. Besides, the increase in the stock of foreign investment is also conducive to the technology progress of agricultural firms in developed areas. From the perspective of inter-industry correlation, downstream FDI is not conducive to the technology progress of agricultural firms, while upstream FDI has positive spillovers to agricultural firms in underdeveloped regions. Therefore, agricultural firms in underdeveloped regions should focus on attracting talents from foreign firms and strengthen their ties with local foreign suppliers, while agricultural firms in developed regions should introduce foreign capital and give full play to their competitive advantages.