The Virgin land scheme

Why did Khrushchev prioritise agriculture?

Slow food production limited industrial growth and kept living standards low.

How did Khrushchev’s background influence his policies?

He came from a peasant background and understood agricultural problems.

How did Khrushchev view his role in agriculture?

He believed he was an expert and was genuinely committed, though he overstated his abilities.

How had agriculture been treated under Stalin?

It was sacrificed to support heavy industry.

What change was made to collective farms in 1955?

Collectives gained more local decision-making power and flexibility.

What were the Machine Tractor Stations (MTS) and what happened to them?

They were state-run machinery centres; they were abolished because peasants hated them.

Why was the replacement of the MTS problematic?

Collectives had to buy their own machinery, which was unrealistic.

What were Agrogoroda?

Large agro-industrial villages combining food production and processing.

What were the advantages of Agrogoroda?

Economies of scale and increased investment in mechanisation, fertilisers, and irrigation.

Why were Agrogoroda unpopular with peasants?

Peasants felt more disconnected from the land.

How did the state encourage higher farm production?

By increasing procurement prices and replacing compulsory seizures with planned purchases.

What changes were made to private plots?

Peasants could sell produce at private markets.

Why were private plots important?

They boosted food supply; productivity was often higher than on collective fields.

What food product mainly came from private plots?

Nearly all eggs.

What was the Virgin Lands Scheme?

A 1954 programme to bring new land into cultivation.

Where did the Virgin Lands Scheme operate?

Siberia and Kazakhstan.

Who worked on the Virgin Lands Scheme?

Volunteers, many from the Komsomol.

What scale did the Virgin Lands Scheme reach?

Six million acres cultivated and over 120,000 tractors provided.

How did Khrushchev change the position of agriculture in the Soviet economy?

He raised its status and placed it at the centre of economic planning.

Why was this a significant achievement?

The military-industrial complex strongly argued for priority over agriculture.

How did farmers’ incomes change under Khrushchev?

They doubled between 1952 and 1958.

How did farmers’ incomes compare to industrial workers?

They remained much lower.

How much did food production increase between 1953 and 1958?

By 51%.

Why did productivity remain low despite increased output?

Too many people were employed in agriculture.

How were some of Khrushchev’s agricultural policies viewed?

As unrealistic or “hare-brained” schemes.

What happened in Kazakhstan in 1959?

Grain production targets were missed.

What did the failure in Kazakhstan show?

The Virgin Lands Scheme was starting to fail.

Why was much Virgin Land unsuitable for crops?

It was dry and better suited to grazing.

What was “maize mania”?

Replacing cash crops like cotton with food crops.

Why did maize production fail?

Lack of irrigation caused crops to die.

Why did increased investment not solve agricultural problems?

Years of underinvestment had caused long-term damage.

What problems worsened the impact of the 1963 harvest?

Poor roads and inadequate storage facilities.

How did crop shortages affect livestock?

Animal feed shortages led to millions of livestock being slaughtered.

What was the final sign of agricultural failure?

The USSR had to import grain from North America and Australia.

How did agricultural failure affect Khrushchev politically?

It was a major factor in his dismissal in 1964.