Commentary by the CPC Central Committee on Forwarding the Notice of the CPC Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Committee Regarding the Implementation of the Central Agricultural Directives [1] (May 19, 1959) 1. This document [2] is of reference value and is hereby circulated to the party committees of all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions for their information.
CPC Central Committee Date Month Year 2. To be reviewed by Liu and Deng [3]; handled by Shangkun [4]. Printed from Mao Zedong’s handwritten draft.
Notes [1] Refers to the CPC Central Committee’s Five Urgent Directives on Agriculture dated May 7, 1959.
See note [4] on page of this volume. [2] In a report dated May 14, 1959, addressed to the party committees of all leagues and cities, as well as those of banners and counties, and submitted to the CPC Central Committee, the CPC Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Committee stated that, after deliberating Chairman Mao’s internal letter concerning six issues in agriculture and the Central Committee’s Five Urgent Directives on Agriculture, it had concluded that


they are entirely consistent with the conditions prevailing in the Inner Mongolia region, and that all localities must implement them resolutely.
Specific provisions were made on several concrete matters as follows: First, regarding the expansion of sown area: Every effort should be made to increase the acreage under cultivation, strive for a bumper harvest over a wide area, and raise total output.
In accordance with the “Eight-Character” policy, specific measures to boost production are to be formulated, and labor resources are to be properly allocated.
Second, regarding contracted production targets: These targets must be based on reality while also reflecting a vigorous spirit; they should be set at levels that can be attained through strenuous effort.
Third, regarding the raising of pigs, chickens, geese, and ducks, and the allocation of private plots: The Central Committee’s policy of giving equal emphasis to collective and household pig-raising—“walking on two legs”—is to be widely publicized.
People’s communes and production teams are to assist commune members in raising pigs; once the assigned tasks are fulfilled, members may slaughter and sell their pigs at will.
Private plots are to be distributed to individual households in May. [3] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi.
Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, who at that time served as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. [4] Shangkun refers to Yang Shangkun, who at that time was an alternate member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee.