Comments on the Draft Directive of the Central Committee Regarding the Implementation of the Policy of Mutual Benefit Within Agricultural Cooperatives (September 1957)

This document [1] may be used, with minor revisions.
Printed from Mao Zedong’s manuscript.
Notes [1] Refers to the CPC Central Committee’s directive of August 26, 1957, on implementing the policy of mutual benefit within agricultural cooperatives (the fourth revised draft). The directive states: The correct implementation of the policy of mutual benefit between poor peasants and middle peasants has been one of the basic factors that enabled our country to successfully complete agricultural collectivization, and it remains an important guarantee for consolidating the cooperatives in the future.
After the completion of collectivization, the focus of the policy of mutual benefit lies primarily in appropriately regulating income differentials among members—especially between poor peasants and middle peasants—through rational division of labor and equitable distribution.
With regard to the conscientious implementation of this policy, the directive puts forward the following points: First, members whose incomes may be reduced, particularly impoverished households among the poor and lower-middle peasants, should receive due consideration in the allocation of labor tasks and in the organization of both cooperative and household subsidiary activities.
Second, the work of non-agricultural members whose incomes have declined after joining the cooperative should be adjusted so that they can obtain reasonable remuneration and increase their earnings.
Third, the original owners of certain special means of production may, either partially or entirely, remain outside the cooperative and continue to manage these assets themselves; alternatively, after joining, the cooperative may contract out the management to them on a profit-sharing basis, providing appropriate support in terms of contracted output and work assignments to enable them to augment their income.
Fourth, extensive orchards and woodlands should generally be managed uniformly by the cooperative on a profit-sharing basis.
Where such property was contributed to the cooperative at a depreciated value and significant objections have been raised by the members, it may be converted to a profit-sharing arrangement.
Fifth, surplus funds resulting from the valuation of surplus production resources such as draught animals and farm implements, as well as members’ investments, shall be returned on schedule together with the corresponding share of profits.
If the initial valuation was unduly low, it should be adjusted to reflect the prevailing market prices at the time of membership.
Sixth, in multi-ethnic areas, joint ethnic cooperatives must pay particular attention to safeguarding the economic interests of members belonging to smaller minority groups.
Seventh, members should be permitted to keep livestock in their own households, which shall remain their exclusive property.
If the cooperative needs to use members’ draught animals, it must pay appropriate rental fees.