From the countryside, where the majority of peasants live, I pen down this report with a heavy heart and a sense of responsibility. The People’s Republic of China, under the visionary leadership of the Communist Party and Chairman Mao, embarked on the ambitious journey of the Great Leap Forward in 1958. This initiative was conceived with the noblest of intentions – to propel our nation into an era of rapid industrialization and agricultural modernization. However, as 1962 dawns, it is evident that the path we charted has been fraught with challenges.
Central to the Great Leap Forward was the transformation of our agricultural sector. The establishment of the People’s Communes aimed to consolidate smaller farms into collective units, thereby harnessing the power of communal labor. Traditional farming practices, honed over centuries, were abruptly replaced with new methods. The push for deep plowing and close planting, though theoretically sound, did not yield the expected results on the ground. Local cadres, eager to demonstrate their commitment to the Party’s vision, often set and reported inflated grain production targets. This over-reporting, while showcasing short-term success, had long-term implications. The state, believing in these inflated figures, procured grain based on them. This left the actual grain production, which was much lower, insufficient to feed the local populace, leading to food shortages.
The Four Pests Campaign, an integral part of the Great Leap Forward, sought to improve hygiene and reduce disease by eliminating sparrows, rats, flies, and mosquitoes. However, the large-scale extermination of sparrows led to an unforeseen ecological imbalance. With their natural predator gone, locust populations surged, leading to widespread crop devastation.
The root of the violence and suffering can be traced back to a combination of overzealous policies, unrealistic targets, and a lack of understanding of agricultural practices. The commune system, which was introduced to consolidate land and labor, ended up disrupting traditional farming methods. Farmers were forced to implement deep plowing and close planting, techniques that were believed to increase yields but instead led to reduced production.
The pressure to meet grain quotas led local officials to over-report their yields. This over-reporting had catastrophic consequences. The central government, believing that grain production was high, collected more grain than was actually produced. This left little for the local population, leading to widespread famine.
The consequences of these policies have been devastating. Reports of malnutrition, starvation, and death are rampant. In some regions, the desperation has led to unthinkable acts of violence and even cannibalism. The exact number of deaths remains uncertain, but it is believed to be in the tens of millions.
The atmosphere in the countryside is tense. There are reports of violent clashes between desperate villagers and local officials. The mistrust and fear between the people and the local authorities have grown, with many believing that the officials are hoarding grain for themselves.