Agriculture Under Khrushchev 1953-64

Question 1

How did Khrushchev’s background impact his outlook on agri

Answer 1

-coming from peasant background he enjoyed spending time in countryside
-talked with peasants in ‘earthy’ lang which suggested interest in farming matters - prided himself in agri expertise

Question 2

What did Khrushchev tell the CC in 1953 regarding agri

Answer 2

-1853 told CC limitations or agri production under Stalin concealed by unreliable statistics
-in practice Braun output + no. livestock reared less than in last years tsarist Russia

Question 3

What other areas of Stalins agri policy was criticised

Answer 3

-Stalins encouragement particular farming methods criticised as counter productive

Question 4

Hi did Khrushchev put in charge of the implementation of reforms

Answer 4

-as with Ind were in the hands of local party organisations
-leading to the ministry for agri powers to be reduced so it became more than an advisory body

Question 5

What changes were introduced to incentivise the peasants to produce more - regarding state procurements

Answer 5

-price paid for state grain procurements + other agri goods raised
-grain prices rose c25% 1953-56
-state procurement quotes reduced

Question 6

What other changes were made to incentivise peasants

Answer 6

-taxes reduced + made payable on plot size + not what peasant owned
-quotes on peasants priv plots cut
-peasants not possessing animals not required deliver meat to state

Question 7

What happened regarding collectives which in turn incentivised peasants

Answer 7

-collectives allowed set own production targets + choose how to use their own land

Question 8

What changes were made designed to increase overall agri production

Answer 8

-increase no. farms connected to electricity grid
-1972 campaign for increased chemical fertilisers
-increases in farm machinery which collectives able buy from machine tractor stations
-encouragement merge collectives halved 1950-60 + no. state farms increased