This study employs entropy weight method to assess digital technology, theoretically analyze, and empirically test the impact mechanism and pathways of digital technology on grain yield, aiming to explore how digital technology affects grain yield. The research findings indicate that, overall, digital technology can effectively enhance grain yield levels, and this promoting effect remains significant under a series of robustness tests. In terms of heterogeneity, digital technology exhibits a stronger promoting effect on grain yield in non-main grain-producing areas. Regarding the mechanisms, the level of agricultural socialized services, field management, and agricultural mechanization are important channels through which digital technology enhances grain yield. Moreover, agricultural operation scale plays a positive moderating role in the process of digital technology empowering grain yield. Regarding the threshold effect, there exists a threshold of rural education level in the process of digital technology affecting grain yield. Expanded analysis suggests that policies promoting agricultural modernization contribute to the capacity of digital technology to enhance grain yield.