Enhancing the resilience of the agricultural economy is a crucial strategy for China’s agricultural economic system to effectively address various risk challenges. This study, based on panel data from 31 provinces (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) spanning from 2011 to 2021, employs the entropy method to gauge the resilience level of the agricultural economy. It utilizes the baseline regression model, mediation effect model, and moderating effect model to explore the impact and mechanisms of digital finance on agricultural economic resilience. The findings indicate that digital finance contributes significantly to agricultural economic resilience. Specifically, the breadth of coverage, depth of use, and degree of digitization of digital finance all play vital roles in enhancing agricultural economic resilience. Moreover, there are notable regional differences in the impact of digital finance on agricultural economic resilience, with the eastern region experiencing the most substantial improvement, followed by the central and western regions. Furthermore, the period from 2016 to 2021 shows a more pronounced boost in agricultural economic resilience due to digital finance compared to the period before 2015. Digital finance achieves this by fostering the upgrading of agricultural industry structure, enhancing agricultural labor productivity, and promoting innovation in agricultural science and technology. Additionally, further analysis reveals that the digital divide and competition from traditional financial institutions can moderate the relationship between digital finance and agricultural economic resilience. Therefore, it is recommended to vigorously develop digital finance, improve digital infrastructure, enhance financial literacy and digital skills among farmers, deepen reforms in traditional financial markets, and leverage regional advantages to fully harness the empowering impact of digital finance on agricultural economic resilience.