Commentary by the Central Committee on the Report from the Xiaogan Prefectural Party Committee Regarding Implementation of the Six Instructions on Agriculture [1] (May 11, 1959) 1. This document [2] is hereby circulated to the party committees of all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions for their reference.
Printed by the Central Committee on May 11 based on Mao Zedong’s manuscript. 2. Immediately forward it to Liu and Deng [3] for their review; please have Yang Shangkun [4] dispatch it by telegram to the level of provincial, municipal, and regional party committees.
Printed by Mao Zedong on May 11 based on his manuscript.
Notes [1] Refers to Mao Zedong’s internal party communication dated April 29, 1959, concerning six issues related to agriculture.
See page — 2 of this volume. [2] Refers to the report submitted by the Xiaogan Prefectural Party Committee to the Hubei Provincial Party Committee on May 9, 1959, conveying its response to Chairman Mao’s instructions on six agricultural matters, which was subsequently forwarded with the provincial committee’s endorsement.
In its report dated May 7, the Xiaogan Prefectural Party Committee stated that after receiving the provincial committee’s transmission of the Chairman’s instructions on the afternoon of May 3, all eleven counties holding expanded county-level party meetings immediately studied and discussed them.
The documents were distributed down to the production teams, and cadres and the masses responded enthusiastically: (1) There was a widespread view that only by telling the truth could genuine initiative be generated, whereas lying would lead to disastrous consequences. (2) With regard to the contracted production responsibility system, the leaders of the production teams fully supported the Chairman’s instruction to contract out as much land as realistically possible. (3) On the issue of dense planting, many believed that delegating authority over this matter provided yet another measure of autonomy. (4) Concerning diversified farming, the masses generally welcomed the policy, and numerous production teams proactively expanded their cultivated areas. (5) As for conserving grain, the public felt that this served as a wake-up call: living frugally was essential.
Additionally, some team leaders and commune members expressed concerns, primarily fearing that higher-level cadres might fail to implement the Chairman’s directives.
In endorsing the report, the Hubei Provincial Party Committee likewise noted that since the Chairman’s six instructions on agriculture had reached the production teams, there had been universal joy and fervent support.
Many grassroots cadres voluntarily acknowledged past shortcomings and mistakes before the masses, pledging to resolutely reform their work style.
They had come to realize through practical experience that the Chairman’s instructions constituted a powerful tool for overcoming all current difficulties and a driving force for successfully carrying out all future tasks. [ ] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi.
Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, who at that time held the posts of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. [4] Yang Shangkun, who at the time served as an alternate member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee.

Commentary by the Central Committee on the Shandong Provincial Party Committee’s Regulations Concerning the Allocation of Private Plots (May 11, 1959) 1. This document [1] is hereby circulated to the party committees of all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions for their reference.
Printed by the Central Committee on May 11 based on Mao Zedong’s manuscript. 2. Immediately forward it to Liu and Deng [2] for their review; Yang Shangkun [3] should dispatch it by telegram. … Printed by Mao on the 11th based on his manuscript.
Notes [1] Refers to the regulations issued by the Shandong Provincial Party Committee of the CPC on May 8, 1959, implementing the “CPC Central Committee’s Instruction on Allocating Private Plots to Promote the Rearing of Pigs, Chickens, Geese, and Ducks.”
This document stipulates, in accordance with the central directive on the allocation of private plots, the following specific provisions: First, private plots shall be used and managed individually by commune members on a long-term basis for cultivating fodder crops and vegetables to meet household needs for animal feed and fresh produce.
Second, the standard for private plots shall conform to the centrally prescribed norms, namely no more than five percent of per capita land holdings as specified in the original statutes of the advanced cooperatives.
Third, in order to expedite and ensure the rational allocation of private plots, it should be announced that existing private plots remain under the management of their original owners.
Fourth, private plots should be located around the villages so that members can conveniently tend to them during their leisure time.
Fifth, previously communal private plots may either be returned to individual ownership after harvest or assigned to the original owners for management, with the latter required to pay a nominal fee to the collective upon return.
Sixth, commune members must first prioritize the demands of collective production labor and may not allow the management of private plots to interfere with such work. [ ] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi.
Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, who at that time held the posts of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. [3] Yang Shangkun, who at the time served as an alternate member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee.