In the context of the digital transformation of the economy, the introduction of information and communication technologies is considered as an important factor in modernizing agriculture and increasing the efficiency of agricultural production. The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between the level of digitalization and the efficiency of rice production using the example of the Kyzylorda region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The cost of information and communication technologies is used as an indicator of digitalization. A regression approach was used for the analysis, which makes it possible to assess the relationship between the level of digitalization and rice farming efficiency indicators. Rice yield and gross harvest were considered as dependent variables, while the area under cultivation is additionally included in the gross harvest model. The results of the study showed that there is no statistically significant relationship between the cost of information and communication technologies and rice production indicators. It has been established that the key factor determining the volume of rice production is the acreage, which has a significant positive impact on the gross harvest. The results obtained indicate that the impact of digitalization on agricultural production is indirect and depends on the conditions for the introduction and use of digital technologies. The practical significance of the study lies in the fact that the results obtained emphasize the need for an integrated approach to the digital transformation of agriculture, including not only investments in ICT, but also infrastructure development, improving digital literacy and improving technology implementation mechanisms. The scientific novelty of the study is to quantify the relationship between digitalization and rice production efficiency indicators at the regional level, taking into account the expanded specification of the model. A special feature of the study is its focus on the Kyzylorda region, where the main rice production in Kazakhstan is concentrated, which ensures the representativeness of the results obtained.

digitalization of agriculture, information and communication technologies, digital transformation, rice yield, gross production, regression analysis, agricultural sector of Kazakhstan.