Due to the unbalanced economic development among regions, the trade barriers between Chinese provinces are still relatively serious. In particular, the trade barriers studied in this paper are non-tariff trade barriers, but the existing trade barriers due to regional economic development, local protection and other differences. At the same time, due to the high cost of transportation and storage of agricultural products, inter-provincial trade barriers have become an important factor affecting the progress of agricultural technology. This paper examines the impact of inter-provincial trade barriers on agricultural technology progress in individual and neighboring provinces, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research. It is found that: First, trade barriers directly promote agricultural technology advancement within the province. Spatially, trade barriers in neighboring provinces have a negative spillover effect on local agricultural technology. Second, mediation analysis suggests that trade barriers indirectly stimulate agricultural progress by driving R&D investment. According to the research conclusion, this paper puts forward three suggestions to keep the inter-provincial trade barriers within a reasonable range: the government and related enterprises should strengthen the investment in agricultural research and development, and expand the scale of foreign investment in agricultural introduction.