Title: Energy literacy and rural economic efficiency: Evaluating the role of energy education in enhancing agricultural productivity
Authors: Van Quan Nguyen ,Minh Do Luong
Volume: 10
Issue: 8
Pages: 65-79
Publication Date: 2026/08/28
Abstract:
The transition toward sustainable agriculture requires not only technological innovation but also farmers' capacity to understand and effectively manage energy resources. This study examines how energy literacy contributes to agricultural productivity and rural economic development in Vietnam, with the adoption of energy-efficient technologies considered as a key mediating mechanism. Drawing on Human Capital Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model, the study develops and empirically tests a structural model linking energy literacy, adoption of energy-efficient technologies, agricultural productivity, and rural economic development. Data were collected from 312 farmers and agricultural producers in rural Vietnam using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings show that energy literacy has a strong positive effect on the adoption of energy-efficient technologies (? = 0.614, p < 0.001), while technology adoption positively affects agricultural productivity (? = 0.304, p < 0.001). Energy Literacy also has a significant direct effect on Agricultural Productivity (? = 0.320, p < 0.001). Furthermore, agricultural productivity positively influences rural economic development (? = 0.479, p < 0.001). The mediation results indicate that technology adoption mediates the relationship between energy literacy and agricultural productivity, while agricultural productivity mediates the relationships between energy literacy, technology adoption, and rural economic development. A significant serial mediation pathway from energy literacy through technology adoption and agricultural productivity to rural economic development is also identified. The findings highlight energy literacy as an important form of human capital that enables Vietnamese farmers to make more informed technological and production decisions. The study contributes to sustainable agricultural development by demonstrating how knowledge-based capabilities, technological adoption, and productivity improvements can jointly support rural economic development.