This study examines the adoption of digital technologies (DTs) in agriculture, focusing on the factors influencing growers' adoption intensity and its economic benefits. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates qualitative and quantitative methodologies, analyzing data from 435 growers in Shandong and Liaoning provinces, China. The study finds that grower's knowledge, technology compatibility, government support, and competitive pressure significantly influence DT adoption intensity. Specifically, male growers and those managing larger cultivation areas exhibit higher adoption intensity. DT adoption enhances economic benefits by reducing labor and input costs, increasing yields, and improving quality, with a 30.4% increase in economic benefits for each unit increase in adoption intensity. The study recommends that governments strengthen agricultural socialized services related to DTs, offering pre-adoption technical consultation and post-adoption support, and prioritize aligning DTs with the practical needs of agricultural production. These findings provide valuable insights for promoting DT adoption in other countries and regions facing similar challenges in agricultural modernization and digital transformation.This study examines the adoption of digital technologies (DTs) in agriculture, focusing on the factors influencing growers' adoption intensity and its economic benefits. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates qualitative and quantitative methodologies, analyzing data from 435 growers in Shandong and Liaoning provinces, China. The study finds that grower's knowledge, technology compatibility, government support, and competitive pressure significantly influence DT adoption intensity. Specifically, male growers and those managing larger cultivation areas exhibit higher adoption intensity. DT adoption enhances economic benefits by reducing labor and input costs, increasing yields, and improving quality, with a 30.4% increase in economic benefits for each unit increase in adoption intensity. The study recommends that governments strengthen agricultural socialized services related to DTs, offering pre-adoption technical consultation and post-adoption support, and prioritize aligning DTs with the practical needs of agricultural production. These findings provide valuable insights for promoting DT adoption in other countries and regions facing similar challenges in agricultural modernization and digital transformation.