Based on panel data from 2,136 counties in China between 2014 and 2022, this study uses a two-way fixed effects model to examine the impact of new-type rural collective economies on the growth of total factor productivity in grain production from the perspective of empowerment, as well as its underlying mechanisms. The results show that the new type of rural collective economy significantly promotes the growth of total factor productivity in grain production, and this conclusion remains valid after controlling for endogeneity and conducting robustness tests. Mechanism analysis indicates that the new rural collective economy has empowered management, technology, property rights, and labor functions, thereby promoting the growth of total factor productivity in grain production. Heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that the empowering effect of the new rural collective economy on grain TFP growth is more pronounced in major grain-producing areas, economically underdeveloped counties, and regions with relatively low terrain ruggedness. The government should comprehensively deepen the reform of the rural collective property rights system, improve the property rights protection system and the benefit distribution mechanism, strengthen management capacity, increase investment in technology promotion and talent development, cultivate and expand new types of rural collective economies, and fully leverage their key role in promoting high-quality agricultural development and ensuring food security.