Comments and Revisions on the Revised Draft of the National Outline for Agricultural Development [1] (October 12, 1957) I. Please have Comrades Liu, Zhou, Zhu, Chen, Deng, Peng Zhen, and Chen Boda [2] review this once.
Prepare several copies to be distributed to each member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and convene a joint meeting to discuss it.
We should strive to publish it in the newspapers by October 20 [3]. Whether the Politburo needs to deliberate again will be decided by Liu and Deng.
Mao Zedong.
October 12.
There have been some revisions; please assess their appropriateness.
After reading, return it to Tian Jiaying [4] for processing.
Printed according to the manuscript.
II.
This draft outline was proposed by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in January 1956 and has already played a positive role in practical life.
Now,

--- Notes

in light of certain changes in circumstances and experience gained over the past two years, we have made necessary revisions and additions.
It is being submitted to farmers and all the people for discussion, after which further amendments will be made.
The document is then to be presented to the National Congress of the Communist Party of China for adoption, followed by submission to the State Council for deliberation and approval, and finally to the National People’s Congress for discussion and passage, before being officially promulgated.
It is anticipated that many new developments will arise over the next ten years, necessitating additional adjustments.
III.
Strengthen education and leadership directed toward the small number of individual farmers who still remain, with the aim of persuading them, on a voluntary basis, to join cooperatives one after another.
Those who are unwilling to join may act as they see fit.
IV.
As national industrialization progresses, agricultural mechanization should be implemented in an orderly and vigorous manner.
Starting in 1956, the machinery manufacturing sector and the agricultural sector should, within the shortest possible time, conduct extensive experimental research to formulate a plan for agricultural mechanization suited to China’s conditions, thereby preparing for its widespread adoption.
Subsequently, machinery appropriate to local conditions should be manufactured and made available to farmers, with continuous improvement and active promotion.
V. Pay attention to publicizing exemplary cases of farming families who manage their affairs carefully, practice thrift, increase savings, and accumulate resources.
The notion of failing to make long-term plans, neglecting household accumulation, and spending everything as it comes is erroneous.
VI.
The fundamental spirit underlying the “Four Pests” campaign is cleanliness and hygiene, inspiring everyone to uplift their morale, change outdated customs, and transform the country.
VII.
The basic principle guiding efforts to eradicate disease is identical to that of the “Four Pests” campaign.
VIII.
Young people who have graduated from middle and primary schools in cities—except those who can continue their studies or find employment in urban areas—should actively respond to the state’s call to go to the countryside to engage in agricultural production and participate in the great cause of building socialist agriculture.
Eighty-five percent of our population resides in rural areas; without the development of agriculture, industry cannot advance independently.
Going to work in the countryside is both essential and highly honorable.
Printed according to Mao Zedong’s revised text.
Notes [ ] This section (I) consists of comments written by Mao Zedong on the “Revised Draft of the National Outline for Agricultural Development from 1956 to 1967,” issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee on September 6, 1957.
Section (II) represents Mao’s revision of the introductory portion of this draft; when it was later published, this passage was reclassified as a note by the CPC Central Committee to the revised outline.
Sections (III) through (VIII) comprise Mao’s separate revisions of Articles 1, 7, 23, 27, 28, and 38 of the draft, respectively.
Text printed in Song typeface indicates material added or rewritten by Mao Zedong. [2] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi.
Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai.
Zhu refers to Zhu De.
Chen refers to Chen Yun, who at the time served as Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee.
Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, then General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee.
Peng Zhen was then a Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat.
Chen Boda was then Director of the CPC Central Committee Research Office and Mao Zedong’s secretary. [3] The revised draft of the National Outline for Agricultural Development was discussed and amended at the Supreme State Council meeting convened by Mao Zedong on October 13, 1957, as well as at the joint meeting of the 80th Session of the NPC Standing Committee and the 46th Session of the CPPCC National Committee Standing Committee held on October 16.
On October 26, the People’s Daily published this revised outline. [ ] Tian Jiaying was then Deputy Director of the CPC Central Committee Research Office and Mao Zedong’s secretary.