Objective/Meaning  The coupling and coordinated development of agricultural science and technology innovation and food security is fundamental to advancing the agricultural modernization. By clarifying the the interaction mechanisms between these two systems and analyzing the dynamic evolution and spatial-temporal pattern of their coupling and coordination relationship, it can provide insights for promoting the coordinated development of the two systems.

Methods/Procedures  Based on the panel data from 30 provincial-level regions in China covering the period from 2012 to 2023, the entropy method was used to determine the indicator weights. The coupling coordination degree model was used to measure the coordination level between the two systems, and the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and agglomeration effect were analyzed by combining the spatial auto-regression model, thereby systematically revealing the evolution law of their coordinated relationship.

Results/Conclusions The findings indicated a steady improvement in the coupling coordination degree between AST innovation and food security in China, albeit with significant regional disparities. The positive spatial correlation and clear agglomeration effects were observed, manifesting as the high-level agglomeration areas primarily in the central and eastern regions and the low-level agglomeration areas mainly in the western region. Accordingly, the policy recommendations were put forward including strengthening the policy guidance, deepening the regional coordination, enhancing the scientific and technological empowerment, and promoting the implementation of the Broad Food Approach, thus to further promote the coupling and coordinated development between the two systems to a high level.