A Few Problems Concerning How to Accelerate the Development of our Country's Agriculture

He Jianzhang and Wu Kaitai

Chinese Economy, 1979, vol. 13, issue 1, 86-104

Abstract: The inadequacy of agriculture's progress to meet the demands stemming from the development of industry and other sectors poses a striking contradiction which our national economy faces today. Our country has a large population and little arable land. Being restricted by a low level of mechanization, the labor productivity of our agriculture remains low and so does the marketable rate of agricultural products. Forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries also move forward at a slow pace. Marx said, "An agricultural labor productivity which exceeds the laborer's personal needs constitutes the foundation of all societies." (>u>1>/u>) If we do not rapidly change this backward state of agriculture in our country, it will inevitably impede the progress of the entire national economy. In his report on the work of the government delivered at the Fifth National People's Congress, Chairman Hua put forward the general task during the new stage of development. Accelerating the development of agriculture is an urgent need in fulfilling the general task of the new stage. In the report, Chairman Hua listed "mobilizing the whole nation and going in for agriculture in a big way" as the first measure in our effort to speed up socialist construction. The Outline of the Ten-Year Plan for the Development of the National Economy adopted by the Fifth National People's Congress requires that a solid foundation be laid for agriculture. By 1985 we are to produce 400 billion kilograms of grain, and a relatively high level will be attained in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, sideline production and fisheries. From 1978 to 1985, the gross value of agricultural output is to increase by 4 to 5 percent, and by the end of this century, the output per unit of major agricultural products is expected to reach or surpass advanced world levels. This is an even higher rate than that of the past. Chairman Mao personally fostered Dazhai as a banner. The rapid development of agriculture in Dazhai Brigade gave us an example from which to learn. Chairman Hua pointed out: "In order to effect an upswing in agriculture, we rely mainly on learning conscientiously from Dazhai, practicing scientific farming and speeding up mechanization."

Date: 1979
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