Comments and Revisions on the Central Rural Work Department’s Report for the Second National Rural Work Conference (June 7, 1954) To Comrades Liu Shaoqi and Deng Zihui [1]: I have made a minor revision on page three [2]. Please consider it as you see fit. Mao Zedong June 7 Based on the manuscript. Secondly, the contradiction between the demand for large-scale, planned increases in production and the fragmented, privately owned nature of small-scale peasant agriculture, together with its backward agricultural technology, is becoming increasingly apparent, and the difficulties are mounting. These constitute two fundamental contradictions. The first principle for resolving these contradictions is to carry out a social revolution—namely, agricultural collectivization—by gradually transitioning from individual ownership by working peasants to collective ownership and then to socialism. The second principle is to implement a technological revolution, that is, to progressively introduce machinery into agriculture and undertake other technical reforms.

Thirdly, increasing per-unit yield is currently the main avenue for boosting agricultural output. However, relying solely on small-scale peasant farming has limited potential in this regard. Large-scale mechanization in agriculture remains a long-term prospect, contingent upon industrial development. In the immediate future, we must therefore focus on vigorously promoting agricultural collectivization and, on that basis, appropriately introducing various feasible technological innovations. Printed according to Mao Zedong’s revised text. Notes [1] Deng Zihui was at the time Minister of the CPC Central Committee’s Rural Work Department. [2] See sections (ii) and (iii) of this document; the text set in Song typeface represents additions and revisions made by Mao Zedong.

Letter Regarding the Issuance of the Revised Draft Constitution to Liu Shaoqi and Others (June 9, 1954)