This study examines how government policies influence rice production through a multi-dimensional coupling mechanism

comparing the cases of China and Sri Lanka. Adopting the Multi-Dimensional Coupling Agricultural Economics Model (MCAEM) as the core framework

the research integrates six dimensions – Policy

Market

Household

Technology

Risk

and Ecology – and emphasizes their dynamic feedback linkages. A mixed-method comparative case study design analyses policy documents

statistical datasets

and field survey insights to construct key indicators and diagnose the 'strong' and 'weak' dimensions of each country's rice sector. The findings reveal divergent policy paths: China's high investment in subsidies

price support and technology has raised yields and stabilized markets

though farm scale and environmental sustainability remain challenging

whereas Sri Lanka's heavy input subsidies pursued self-sufficiency

but weak risk management and extension constrained productivity

and an abrupt shift to organic farming precipitated a production crisis. Feedback loop analysis identifies three policy–production cycles (production-driven

efficiency-driven

and sustainability-driven): China is transitioning from a production-driven towards an efficiency-oriented cycle

while Sri Lanka remains locked in the former after a premature sustainability attempt. These dynamic interactions explain why similar policy interventions yield divergent outcomes across countries. Policy implications include strengthening weak dimensions—improving insurance and extension in Sri Lanka

addressing environmental and smallholder challenges in China—and sequencing policy mixes towards a more resilient

sustainable cycle

offering lessons for developing countries balancing food security and sustainability goals.