AGRICULTURE/LAND/IRRIGATION/LIVESTOCK/TAXES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00047R000300020001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 19, 2013
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 27, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2014/11/04: CIA-RDP82-00047R000300020001-4
F014)
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDEMIAL
CENTRnifiLffigaTIEENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
COUNTRY China (Sinkiang)
SUBJECT
PLACE
ArQUIRED
50X1
DATE
ACQUIRED BY
DATE OF INFO
Agriculture/Lana/Irrigation/Livestock/Taxes
?NIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFONMATION ARIECTIM4 TN! NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES, WITHIN TIS MSANINS OF TITLE IS, SECTIONS 793
AND 7941 OF THE U.S. COON, Al AMINDSO. ITS AAAAAA Ill ION OR AM.
LOTION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT ST AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS
PRONISITED ST LAY, THE NNNNN !SUCTION EF ?NIS FOAM It PRONISITED.
DATE DISTR.011ity 53 50X1
NO. OF PAGES 5
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
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THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
1. 4g4Cu1turq: Most of the agricultural products of Sinkiang are superior to those
of-the interior of China in beauty, body, taste and size. The most outstanding
and renown are its fruity particularly grapes (lady-fingers), watermelon and
cantaloupe. The main agricultural areas of Sinkiang are in the vicinity of Kuldja
(Ining), Suiting) Maness (Suilai)� Urumohi (Tihwa), Chuguohak (Tahcheng) Sharasume
(Chenghwa), Turfan, Hami (4omul)� Aqsu (Akosu)0 Eaahgar (Shufu), Yarkands(Soche)
and Ehotan (Hotien). Turfan is famous for its grapes and carries on a large export
bUsiness in raisins. The rice growing areas of Sinkiang are in Suiting, Wusu, Manass,
Urumchi and Aqsu. Cotton is grown extensively throughout the southern regions of ,
Sinkiang and raw silk is the main product of most southern Sinkiang towns, especially
Yani Shake (Shnleh), larkand and Khotan.
2. In the Ili Region, beeause of its excellent climate and soil and because it is completely
sheltered from high Ands all known types of grain crops, vegetables and fruit trees
are grown with excellent results. After 7 Nov 4114 when this region became a part
of the East Turkestan People's Republic (ETPR), Soviets experimented and were
successful in introducing the mulberry tree (shelkovitsa) into the area and the
development of a silk worm which would thrive in this comparatively damp region.
The leAin types of crops grown in the Ili and Urumchi Regions of Sinkiang
in 1947, were the following. They are listed according
to the proportion of land devoted to each crop:
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kast
Wheat
b. Barley
c. Corn
CRFt -Ev
Avera o Yilad oe Bectart
100 to 110 pude, 90 puds is
considered very poor.
60 to 150 pude, in the Ili
Region it is usually around
150 pude.
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Alapox) priqe ner L nude
5,000 EPR rubles
120 to 150 pude. 2,000 0
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENT TAkisEcuR4I INFORMATION
DISTRIBUTION
I,
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2014/11/04: CIA-RDP82-00047R000300020001-4
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CONFIDENTIAL/SECURITY INFORMATION
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Sunflower
Alfalfa'
f. Millet
g. Oats
When alfalfa is first planted, barley
or millet is also planted to give it
shade. 1st year - two cuttings, each
80 to 90 puds, 2nd year - two cuttings,
each 150 to 200 puds, 3rd year - three
cuttings, each 400 to 600 puds. This
yield continues for at least 3 years
more, then starts to decline. On 8th
or 9th year an alternate crop is
planted for diversification practices.
Extremely low
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8,000 ETPR. rubles
2,500
h. Rice 12,000
i. Kaoliang
j. Potatoes
k. Miscellaneous vegetablea such as beans, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant etc.
1. Flax
Seeame
n., Cotton
44 The Soviets had no, or very little,influence on Sinkiaag.f.griculture. They
brought, only a handful of tractors and other mechanized farm equipment into the
province and although experimental farm stations were maintained by t#em in
� Urumchi, Kuldjal Chuguchak and Sharasume, these were very, 411 and a. no
influence on local agricultural practices. Sinkiang farmers felt that they
knew far more about local agricultural problems than did the Soviet 9.gric4tura1
� Advisors. Therefore, farming in Sinkiang, in 1947, was being carried on in
the same manner and .by. the same implements as it had been hundreds of years ago.
5.igais There was no collectivization of farm land in either Sinkiang, or in the 50X1
ETPR1 in 1947. During the reign of
Governor Ziguag, Shih-tsai (1933 through 1943), in Sinkiang and after 7 Nov 44, in
theETP1111 tens of thousands. of peoples were thrown into prison, declared an
enemy of the State and their land and other. possessions confiscatedv the
� government. This land was then rented to other farmers. Normally, most land
in Sinkiangcan only be acquired through inheritance. The Moslems never 4014
land because it was against their religion to do so and the Chinese were simply
hesitant to sell, Therefore most farmland was owned by old local families and
native Moslem princes who rented-their vast land holdings to farmers. It was,
however, a local custom to permit both farmers and city dwellers to purchase
small parcels of land upon which their home and compound would be located. Thus,
a farmer, in most cases, wouli own a small tract of land upon,which,his house
stood, but would rent the surrounding land which he was cultivating. There ere,
� 4owever, vast areas of land throughout Sinkiang which, for reasons of leeation,
rough terrain, poor soil, lack of watervor. any other of a number of reasons,
have not been claimed by anyone and are open to homesteading. 50X1
6. low-cost irrigation and water conservation
program could be developed in Sinkiang and would result in an unlimited expansion
of cultivable land. Millions of hectares are presently awaiting the energies
of man to convert them into fertile, farm land. This could be accomplished by
damming the innumerable mountain rivers and streams and then piping the water
where it is needed. This precious water is now wasted by being allowed to rush
CONFIDENTIAL/SECURITY INFOAMATION
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2014/11/04: CIA-RDP82-00047R000300020001-4
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2014/11/04: CIA-RDP82-00047R000300020001-4
CONFIDENTIAL/SECURITY INFORMATION
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down (the year around) from the high snow-capped mountains to the desert lowlands
and there to immediately disappear below the earth's surface. just as an example
of what can be done with the existing watereupply, for the full length of the
road from Yarkand to Khotan there is a man-made underground water duct with
openings three kilometers apart, which is supplied by a mountain stream. This
water duct was lined with stone and briok some centuries ago and has been the
only source of water (cool and sweet) for travellers who pass through this dry
desert region. Virtually the entire province of Sinkiang could blossom forth
into a rich agricultural area if only these mountain rivers were utilized. This
applies not only to the vast areas of land whicli lie both north and south of the
Tien Shan Range, but also to the areas south of the Altai Range, east of the
Enztagh Alta Range and north of the Kunlun and Astin Tagh Ranges. even during
the extremely hot summer months these rivers are supplied by the malting snows 50X1
and do not dry up. In summer days most of these rivers can easily be waded
across by humans, whereas towards nightfall they are replenished by the malting
snows and become so deep and fast that even horses cannot cross them without' being
carried away. Thus, Sinkiang has vast possibilities
as an agricultural region. It must, however, be remembered that Sinkiang has a
total area of 705,769 square miles; yet in 1946 its total population was under
four million, one-third of which live in the cities and the balance are predominantly
pastoral nomads.
7. ,The following are the only Sinkiang irrigation and water conservation.projects
of any consequence,
a., A water conservation and irrigation project was completed by the Soviets,
prior to 1943, about 30 kilometers east of Urumchi. The exact location is
� the peak of the Bogdo Ula Mountain which is an ancient volcano. On the
north side of the crater is Bogdo Ula Lake! This large lake was enlarged
. to approximately four times its normal size by dynamiting its spillway to
the north and constructing a dam there. The water from this dam was then
channeled to irrigate an area northeast of Urutchi,,inthe vicinitreflUkang.
. .
14 About -30 kilometers south of:Urumehi'a canal was built froM�the'Kuirhohilo He
(RiVer),-runningthrough the valleyto the east:- An:Other canal, 'Whit:Ai' starts
at the'Kuerhohilo.Hot' abbUtseven kilometers north oflirumehi, vas 'atilt to
Tian in a: northwesterly direction and' ultimately conneet-with the'Changehi-
SO-(Aiver). ApproximatelY.halfthe length of this Canal .(thi-half closest
to UruMehi) was lined with brick and .stone. All of"theaboVe mentioned -
canals are some four feet deep and eight to ten feet wide.
c.'eMalIA.rrigation prOjeotS were bola% planned, in-1947,:in the
vicinit-ref the town of,Aqsu) and somewhere tlongtheKash River in the 50X1
Ili Region.
8. igigeataalp - The different types of livestock raised in Sinkiang ares
a. 11,64w. The majority of livestock raised in Sinkiang are a local Central
Asian '15reedcf sheep, small-in siker and having fat-tails. The most' popular
area for raisingAhis breed of sheep are the Altai' prairies. Their
appendage is.broad and flat instead of long.and'round.and i an adaptation
to the rigorous life of the steppe's. During the months when the pastlres are
goodthesheep'stOre up fat in their tails. I have seen them'weighing'eight
� to tea poUnds.dnd'in'the fall have seen tails so heavy that they were half' ,
-broltei:a off..'Shopherds sometimes rig up little carts, for their prime sheep,
� 'Which the enimals drag along behind' to hold Up their fat-heavy tails.
�southern. Sinkiang) south of the Tien Shan Range, d different breed of sheep
is raised.� This breed is twice the size of the Central Asian sheep and has
Ion.raund tails and 1ori tOol Both breeds al,a primarily raised' for:their
� mutton and hides) and not their wool,
Lamm Most Sinkiang horses are of a:local breed generally referred to as
. Kazakh Asiatic horses, This breed is Short and extremely sure-footed and
therefore Very satisfactory for travelling over -the rugged terrain of Sinkiang,
and is a draft horse, Another breed, which was more popular than the Kazakh
CONFIDENTIAWSECURITY INFORMATION
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CONFIDENTIAL/SECURITY INFORMEION
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Asiatic horse and also much more expensive, was the Ul Duz horse a This
horse was Originally bred by a wealthy Mongol prince whose territory lies'
throughout the Tien Shan Range, between Kuldja and Urumehi. This horse is
a cross between the Kazakh Asiatic and the Arabian breeds. It is by far
the most superior and prized breed in Sinkiang, being the fastest; most
durable, sure-footed and certainly the most beautiful.
, Iallko: A small local breed of donkey.
-
Niles: A tall, black breed of mule which is bred and highly prized by the
Tungans.
e. qtimale: The Bactrian camel, whose native home is Central Asia, is bred in
large quantities in Sinkiang, since this province has had to rely on them
for carrying on trade and travel both within the province and with other
points in China. The Bactrian camel of Sinkiang has two humps, is short-
legged and grows a long, thick winter coat which it sheds in masses in
the spring. .This camel's wool is then utilized within the province in
the padding of winter clothes and blankets, in the mpking of felt for
the naive yurts (tent with a conical roof), etc.
f. Gos: A. local breed of goat, which is primarily a milk producer, is
bred extensively in Sinkiang. Goat's milk is much more popular in Sinkiang
than cow-% tlk. C Is Tatlk is consumed only by the small Russian popu-
lation
g. goal: Only-the Russian population of Sinkiang breed cows,'Whith axe all
of local Asiatic stock. A, few Swiss milch cows, howeVer, were brought
into Sinkiang for breeding purposes in the late 1930s.
h. Iluo The number of pigs raised in Sinkiang is �'very smalI., This is due
to the religion of the majority of the populatioe, Mohatamedanism, which
forbids its followers to eat pork. Therefore, only the Chinese and
Russians ,of Sinkiang raise pigs for their own neede. �.
,
i.
Sikago 40xerk are only raieed, in small quantities in the Ili Region of
Sinkiang.
� , � A
;Aug: Taxes in Sinkiang and the ETPR were oolleoted by the regienaltax
colleotors.' They were then transmitted to the Tax Division .of the Provincial
Finance Commission.
,
a. 1:1010 The farmers were 'required to deliVer a certain percentage of each
or to a government warehouse. The land tax was paid in currency, based
on the tax collectorta appraisal of the land. As mentioned previously,
few farmers owned their own land.
;aiveateCk,: AS most livestock breeding in Sinkiang is carried on by
pastoral nomads, the elder of each tribe was held reepensible for collecting
� the taxes from members of his tribe and then accounting te the regional
� tax collector. The elder of a tribe is called an Ak Sakai (grey beard)
.and once a year the whole tribe would meet at his "yurtu village, bringing '
�all of their herds with them. The Ak Sakai would then count their herds
� and confiscate a certain percentage of each family's herd. He would then
turn this cattle over to the regional tax 062-lector. -
G. Buslialessi Merchants and others who are.la business for themselves'in--
Sinkiang are required to purehase a business licenser which has to be
renewed each year.. The price of the license is based on the previbUs -
year's volume of business. The total volume of business done by a firm,
or sterol puts it in one of four categories of business (lot, 2nd, 3rd or
,4th grade). Since accounting recordeAre not kept in this part of the
world, it is completely up to the owner of the'businese to be-truthful
it his yearly verbal declaration to the local tax eelleetcr.. If the tax
collector has any doubts as to the accuracy of a deceleration, he assigns
COIeliMa SECURITY 111101111TION
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a tax investigator to watch the daily volume done by that business and
if his doubts are confirmed, a heavy fine is imposed. A fine cannot be
appealed and must be paid immediately. A person first going into business
Must estimate the volume of business that he expects to do during the first
year and his license fee (tax) is based on that figure* If his buiness
does not meet with his expectations, he receives no refund. However, if
his volume of business exceeds his estimate, then he must pay the
diaerence between the fee that he has already paid and the fee that is
required of a higher "grade" license.
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0015'IDEIVTIWSECURITY I ,ORMATIOD
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