Responsible Farmland: Historic Changes and Analysis

The term “responsible farmland” arose in Anhui in the 1960s. After the nationwide launch of the People’s Commune movement in our country, blind exaggeration and “big pot rice,” coupled with the reduction in grain production caused by natural disasters, posed serious threats to the survival of the entire country. To seek ways to increase grain production, various places were looking for ways to increase the enthusiasm of farmers for agricultural production. The concept of a “responsible farmland,” as one of the most effective methods, spread rapidly nationwide. The “responsible farmland” indeed increased the grain yield, but its nature was also questioned by the intensification of class struggle. The rise and fall of the “responsible farmland” in Anhui changed with Mao Zedong’s attitude. Finally, in 1962, it was completely negated by the dismissal of its promoter, Zeng Xisheng. However, when the grain crisis occurred in the 1970s, it was once again promoted by farmers, and eventually, with the establishment of the household contract responsibility system, it became the basis of our country’s basic land policy.