ALBANIAN RESOLUTION ON DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 16
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 19, 2011
• Sequence Number: 451
• Publication Date: August 15, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
COUNTRY
SUBJECT
HOW
PUBLISHED
WHERE
PUBLISHED
DATE
PUBLISHED
LANGUAGE
INFORMATION FROM
FOREIGN DOCUMENTS OR RADIO BROADCASTS CD NO.
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDRNTIIL
SECURITY INFORMATION
Economic - Agriculture, collectivization
Political - Decree, propaganda
NIB oocOuSN, CONTAINS NVOIISIION AAanNS ME NATIONAL 01/1111
Or TAR. NNITSO $TSUUS NRINI Till InhINS Or UPI0N11I ACT SO
I. S. C.. SI ?Il U. SS ?111-/0. ITS TNINSIIISION Al rill II1IUTION
or Itl CAUTION U SR IINNO TO AN ATOOII010 FUSION IS FIT.
NUITI. ST SIN. OOF.OOICNON or I":..
t a FIONUITIN.
DATE OF
INFORMATION
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
Duties of the Party for the Further Development of Agriculture
On 9 and 10 April 1951, the Tenth Plenum of the Central Committee of the
Albanian People's Party was held in Tirana. Members of the government and the
first secretaries of local party committees also participated: The plenum
unanimously approved a resolution, entitled "Duties of the Party for the Devel-
opment of Agriculture," the text of which follows.
I. THE PRESENT CONDITION OF AGRICULTURE
AND THE PROSPECTS FOR ITS DIVELOPMENT
1. The great. victory of our people in the War of National Liberation
against the Italo-German occupation troops and their local lackeys was achieved
through the heroic-fight of the noble Soviet peoples against Fascism, through.
the right leadership of the great masses of our people by the party, and through
the shining patriotism of our people.
The decision.of the people's government concerning, the defeat of the old
government, the government of exploiters and bloodsuckers, made it possible to
bring about all the conditions favorable to the economic development of the
co"ay in the interest of the toiling masses. The nationalization of banks,
industry, mines, trade, transportation, and construction, the complete and un-
compensated confiscation of the property of landholders and wealthy farmers, and
the complete implementation of agrarian reforms have caused a radical change
in the old production relationships. '
STATE
ARMY
RIBUTION
NAVY NSI I DIST1 I
AIR IR FYFF
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2 ?
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
The people's government has radically changed the conditions for the develop-
ment of agriculture. For the farmer, it has created completely different pro-
duction relationships from those which existed under the former regime of oppres-
sion and exploitation, forming altogether new relationships between the farm areas
and the cities.
2. With the implementation of agrarian reform, the farm workers have made
considerable gains in the amount of land under their control and in the agricul-
tural inventory, obtaining 320,000 hectares of land, 500,000 olive trees, thou-
sands of work animals, etc., without having to give the slightest compensation
for the estates and property of the beys and ages which were confiscated by the
people's government along with the public estates. The land now belongs to the
state, which works +.t and controls planting and reaping so as to prevent concen-
tration in the hands of the rich and the impoverishment of the masses on the
farms.
Since 1945,tht total cultivation area hasLeen increased over the prewar
level, and siuee 194b, grain production has increased. In 1950, the total cul-
tivation area was increased by 149.5 percent. Even with last year's dry spell,
this production is 133.8 percent of what it was in 1938.
3. Along with the increased volume of agricultural production, the living
standard of the farmers has also risen. The state industry has been supplied
with raw materials, the state bread fund has increased, and exports have grown.
Despite all this, however, the point has not yet been reached where we are pro-
ducing all the bread necessary to meet domestic demand in the r-)ublic. The in-
creased output of agricultural produce is not satisfactory, and up to now,our
agricultural development has been characterized by a speedy increase in the area
under cultivation, on the one hand, and a lack of proper efforts to increase
yields, on the other.
Developments in the sector of agricultural livestock are not satisfactory.
Although great advances have been madg in the development of our agriculture,
the plenum considers this rate of agricultural development to be still too Slow.
It also feels that agriculture is failing to respond sufficiently to the needs
arising from the rapid and indispensable development of our economy in general
and our industry in particular.
4. The unsatisfactory rate of agricultural development is explained by the
fact of its backwardness and weakness in organization. Our agriculture is char-
acterized by great backwardness in production methods. The cultural and technical
level of our farmers is low, and the agricultural economy is split into too many
facets (about 93 percent of all land under cultivation is in the hands of private
individuals; that is, in the hands of about 150,000 in'?ividual families.
Such an extremely divided and primitive economy cannot enjoy the advantages
of a united one such as exists on the state farms and agricultural cooperatives.
It hampers completely the spontaneous element of production, which cannot easily
be directed by a plan, the way it is directed in the state and socialist sector
of our economy. It contains within it the seeds of exploitation, born from its
own continuation of capitalist and kulak elements, "every day, every hour," as
Lenin said.
5. The way out for our agriculture, the way which will make possible the
basic trcnsxormation of agriculture so that it may develop with a quicker and
more progressive pace and produce in abundance, is the way of collectivization.
Collectivization has begun in our agriculture; many agricultural cooperatives
have been formed, and these have met an example of work, organization, production
and profit for the individual farmers. Nevertheless, the rate of expansion of
this collectivization is not satisfactory. Henceforth, the expansion of farm
collectivization must be our chief duty.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
6. During the War of National Liberation, the alliance of the working class
with the farmers was supported by the desire, will, hope, and complete faith of
the farmers for a final victory in the battle for freedom and land. During the
implementation of cgrarian reform, the alliance of the working class with the
farmers was based on reaping the fruits of war; i.e., the acquisition of land by
the farmers. After the establishment of agrarian reform, the bonds between the
working class and the farmers took on new forms. These new forms were expressed
in the help and aid which the state gave to the farmers to strengthen their economy.
Among the bonds of the alliance are the following:
a. State Agricultural and Livestock Enterprises
The purpose of these enterprises is to serve as stabilization points
for socialism in the farm areas, acting as shining examples for collective and
individual farms. They constitute a practical example of the type of results
yielded by a large-scale mechanized and modernized '_anned economy in contrast
to the small individual economy. At the same time, their duty is to give material
and economic aid to the cooperative and 'ndividual farmers in general. For the
most part, our agricultural and livestock enterprises are fulfilling this duty
and ara playing their role as bonds of unity between the state (the working c'asses
in power) and the farm areas, albeit with many hindrances, such as the high cost
of production, the failure to put agrotechnical measures into effect, etc.
These were set up by the state so that they might come to the aid
of collective,and individual farmers, carrying out their work on the basis of
common accord and control. It is a known fact that in the past, these Machine
Tractor Stations have concentrated their work in the state sector (in the state
agricultural enterprises) rather than in the cooperative and private sector.
This mistaken orientation has bean corrected this year. In 1951, the Machine
Tractor Stations will perform about 50 percent of all the main work of the
existing cooperatives, and the rest of their capacity will be utilized in help-
ing the poor and middle-class farmers in the cultivation of industrial crops.
Never has Albania had so many tractors as it has today, and the mechanized re-
sources of the Machine Tractor Stations will be continually increased. The
principal shortcoming of these stations is their high cost of operation.
c. Agricultural Production Cooperatives
These are valuable as a bond of unity between the farmers, since,
through their example, and through the aid which they are given by the state,
they encourage the poor and middle-class farmers to join in collectives. In
general, the existing agricultural cooperatives are running smoothly, although
they have many shortcomings. The income of cooperatives has always been higher
than that of individual farmers, and the output achieved in production, the
realization of the plan In general, the buying power of the cooperatives, and
their living standard have been higher than in the private sector of the agricul-
tural economy. In generalithe agricultural cooperatives have set an example for
the private farmers; they are acting as the best possible propagandists for the
extension of collectivization in the villages.
These serve as a powerful means of reinforcing the bonds between
the farms and the cities; in these cooperatives, the farmers are supplied with
industrial products in exchange for agricultural produce. They comprise about
60 percent of all individual economies in the villages. However, the commercial
cooperatives in the villages are still very weak because of their lack of organ-
ization, as well as with respect to their economic power. Their organizational
and economic improvement, as well as their expansion, is an important duty which
will bring-about the strengthening of bonds between the cities and the farm areas.
-3-
CONFIDENTIAL
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
The state is helping the farmers with farm credit for the purchase
of agricultural implements, work animals, stock animals, seeds, etc. During
1949 and 1950, the state extended to the farmers 73,292,582 lek in the form of
farm credit. This credit will be increased considerably this year and in years
to come.. During the past 2 years, the state fund has given the poor and middle-
class farmers about 30,000 quintals of grain seed, about 17,000 quintals of seed
for industrial crops, and also other seeds, thousands of plows, pumps, fertilizer,
etc. In this way, farm credit has served as an important means for strength-
ening the alliance between the working class and the farm workers.
Improvements and the construction of irrigation canals undertaken
by the state are an important means in strengthening the bond with the farmers.
This is evidenced by the practical aid which the state has giv.:n them, and by
the development of the agricultural economy. Up to the end of 1950, the state
had invested about 400 million ltk for various improvements and about 120 million
lek for the construction of irrigation canals. Through this work, about 3,000
hectares of new land were cultivated, about 21,000 hectares of land improved,
about 10,000 hectares irrigated, and other canals improved to irrigate a total
surface at more than 6,000 hectares of land. The state is looking forward to
broadening its investments considerably for improvements and irrigation in the
future.
g. Agrotechnical Aid
This state aid is very valuable to our backward farmers. It has
been given to the farmers, but not in sufficient amounts. Many agronomists
have become office workers and have not cared, as they should, to aid the
farmers in improving. work and production methods. Increasing agrotechnical
aid to direct the farmers is an important duty which will be of value in im-
proving agricultural work methods, raising the produce output, and reinforcing
the alliance between the working class and the farmers.
h. Increasing Industrial Production and Expanding the Supply of
Low-Cost Industrial Products to Farmers
One of the most powerful means of reinforcing the bonds between
urban and rural areas and strengthening the alliance between the working class
and the farmers is that of constantly supplying the farmers with an abundance
of%industrial products at the lowest possible prices. To accomplish this, it is
necessary that general attempts to increase the volume in the industrial sector,
as well as to lower the cost of production, be made. The fight for increased
production and lecreased costs of production in the industrial sector is an im-
portant factui in reinforcing the alliance between the working class and the
farmers.
Along with the voluntary pooling of lands and ..,ears of production
by the farmers, we must increase collectivization i.. the farm areas. We must
also increase the aid which the state brings to the farmers in order to strength-
en the bonds which join the city to the farm and strengthen the agricultural
economy in general. In this way, our agriculture will progress, abandoning its
condition of slow development and thereby securing the foundation of socialism
on the farm.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
7. A differentiation in strata is developing among our farmers. Under
capitalist regimes, the middle-class farmer is economically weakened and made
poorer every day, thus giving rise to two e:':remes: the poor-farmer class and
.the kul.e_*s. Under our people 'a regime, on the other hand, the differentiation
between the various classes of farmers is characterized by the strengthening
of the middle-class farmers' position, economically as well as numerically.
The kulak class is economically limit,:d by the masses, since the state sides
with Lne latter against the kulaka. Individual kulaks or separate groups of kulaks
(but not all kulaka as a class] who oppose the laws of the state designed to limit
them are liquidated. The kulak ranks are continually swelled by new kulaks who
have risen from among the middle-class farmers by becoming rich through exploitation
and speculation. The middle-class farmer has become the central figure in the
village.
The poor-farmer class is moving in two directions: one part, which has been
able to improve its economic position,, nas passed or is passing into the ranks of
the middle-class farmers, while another part, which is economically powerless and
totally unable to obtain the necessities of life on the farm with the resources
at its disposal, has *egun to leave the farm for the industrial centers, joining
?..e ranks of the working clase. Those among the poor farmers who are unable to
earn much wealth, but who do not, however, find it necessary to leave the farm
for the industrial centers, are staying on until they obtain the economic means
to take one or the other path-.
8. Before our people lies a perspective of work and happiness without end.
This perspective has been opened for us by the noble Soviet Union, which has
helped us without reserve to increase our economic power and raise our social
and cultural level. Soon, the Five-Year Plan for cur economic reconstruction
will be announced. With the realization of the Five-Year Plan, the economic
conditions of our people will be much improved in all respects, the cultural
and political level of the people will be raised, and the defense forces will
be strengthened.
The state Five-Year Plan for the agricultural sector has the objective of
raising agricultural proauctior, to such a level that we can (1) uroduce the
necessary food for the people without having to import food from the outside,
(2) produce sufficient raw materials to meet the demands of our industry, and
(3) increase our exports.
During the 5-year period, the area of land under cultivation will be
increased 21 percent over the 1950 level, and the agricultural yield will be
increased by 25 percent in the state sector, 20 percent in the cooperative
sector, and 15 percent in the private sector. The number of heads of live-
stock will be greatly increased. The production of cotton will be increased
mes; sugar beets, 20 times; flax, 10 times; hemp, 20 times; and the mechanized
er of the Machine Tractor Stations, 3.5 tines. More than 500,000 olive trees
will be planted, citrus groves and vineyards will be ---.c.-d, the number of
market gardens will be increased, and about 28,000 hectares of forest land will
be reforested and i'eproNed. l.uch work will also be accomplished in improving
and constructing irrigation canals.
Duties in Connection With the Further Development of Agriculture
Considering that, on the whole, the rate of our agricultural development
is slow, and, more particularly, that, with the expansion of industry, the
demand for agricultural products has been progressively increasing; also con-
sidering the necessity to increase the Agricultural yield and accelerate the
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
development of agriculture in general, our chief duty in the agricultural sector
is to intensify the pace of agricultural development by broadening the collec-
tivization of farms, increasing state aid to individual farm workers, strength-
ening the new bonds between the cities and the farms and the alliance between the
working class and the farmers, and intensifying the daily class struggle in the
earm areas.
1.' We must take every measure to eliminate all obstacles in the state agri-
cultural and livestock enterprises. These measures must be taken so that these
enterprises may truly become the supporting columns of socialism in the farm areas,
setting a good example of work and production for all farmers. Let us help them
effectively in accomplishing this task.
These measures must consist in good working organization, the elimination
and unrelenting destruction of irresponsible resistance on the part of certain
agricultural workers against the state economy, the complete organization of
socialist competition to increase production and reduce costs, the implementation
of cgrote.hnical regulations in production, the incorporation, during this year,
of all farms into the system of centralized agriculture, the elimination of use-
less waste in the livestock enterprises, and the improvement of livestock breeds.
They should pattern themselves on the Soviet sovkhozes in all their activities.
In August of this year, the Politburo will inspect conditions existing
in the state e'ricultural and livestock enterprises and take the necessary con-
crete measures to strengthen them.
2. The existing agricultural cooperatives must be strengthened and the
party must be mobilized to increase further the collectivization in the farm
areas.
3. The Machine Tractor Stations must be reinforced by adopting a series
of measures which may be summed up as good work organization, raising of mean
progressive norms, lowering of labor costs, loiering 3f fuel consumption, good
maintenance of machinery, and improvement of the quality of work. During this
year, the Machine Tractor Stations will do 50 percent of the work of the ex-
isting agricultural cooperatives. The field of activity of the Machine Tractor
Stations expanded in such a way that, by 1955, they should have a sufficient
capacity to do 50 percent of the work of all cooperatives, as well as help indi-
vidual farmers.
4. Within the 5-year period, all existing seeds which are not of a high
quality will be replaced with selected seeds throughout the republic. These
seeds will be produced by the state farms and by the best cooperatives. By
1952, all alfalfa seed will be produced locally, principally by the state
farms.
5? During 1951, all necessary measures for strengthening and expanding
the commercial cooperatives in the farm areas must be taken. These cooperatives
must become powerful organizations in joining the farms and the cities economically
as well as politically to help in the collectivization of the farms. During
August of the current year, the Politburo will inspect conditions in the com-
mercial cooperatives and take concrete steps toward strengthening them generally.
The commercial cooperatives should concentrate on selling agricultural implements
such as picks, shovels, etc., to the farmers, not only at reciprocal trade prices,
but also at commercial trade prices.
6. Industry and the artisans must produce field and hill plows for oxen and
horses. 'By the end of the 5-year period, the steel plow should be in widespread
use, completely replacing the wooden plow. These plows should be produced in this
country as much as possible, while the rest, which cannot be produced in Albania,
must be imported. Industry and the artisans must produce cheaply and in quantity
other agricultural implements such as picks, shovels, axes, etc. These are to be
sold to the farmers through the stores of the commercial cooperatives in the local
areas.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
The commercial cooperatives must use a contract system with all farmers
when supplying them with agricultural implements in exchange for agricultural pro-
duce or for money. By the end of 1952, there should be in each locality at least
two blacksmiths, one saddler, and one carpenter, whether they be members of a co-
operative or private workers.
7. The Ministry of Agriculture must have twined enough personnel by 1953
to assign a staff to each 500 hectares of land planted with industrial crops.
These staffs will be responsible for the cultivation of industrial crops on the
land assigned to them, whether this be in the cooperative or private sector. The
help of the Machine Tractor Stations should be directed primarily toward industrial
crops. Industrial crops are to have priority in the utilization of water for irri-
gation.
8. The planting of potatoes, peas, and vegetables on a large scale is to be
encouraged.
9. To improve olive cultures, citrus groves, and vineyards, the state plan-
tations will be expanded with respect to these cultures and will furnish the arm-
ers with the necessary shoots. The network of staffs to supervise these cul es
should be increased. The improvement and expansion of these cultures should be
planned, and all sgrotechnical regulations regarding them should be faithfully
carried out. The Ministry of Agriculture will take all measures to combat diseases
which may appear in these cultures. The expansion of fruit culture should begin
at once.
10. To improve the livestock situation, breeding stations should be increased
so that at the end of the 5-year period the
ill
be generally one station in
each locality. By the end of 1952, theIbreere w
each of a ding of sheep belonging to the state with
sheep wooljy stock sbnuld be made a general practice. At the same time, measures
should be taken so that the woolly sheep stock will be generally raised through-
out the republic by the end of the 5-year period, even among private farmers.
State control must be increased over the slaughtering of work oxen,
heifers, calves, and rams and lambs of the woolly breed. Meat .onsumption
should be lowered in such a manner as the government may deem reasonable. Fish
production should be increased so that fish may replace meat. By the end of the
'5-year period, at least one third of the meat consumption should have been re-
placed by fish consumption. The party committees for the fishing zones, such as
those of Sarande, Vlore, Durres, Lesh, Shkoder, and Pogradec, should take care
to bring about the realization of the fishing plan.
Measures should be taken on the part of the state to encourage an in-
crease in horses and teams. Industry should take measures so that by the and
of this year, it may begin locally to produce concentrates made with sugar mo-
lasses and olive stems, sunflowers, or cotton to improve basic animal feeds.
The growing of alfalfa on a large scale is to be encouraged. New veteri-
nsrystaffs must be set up, so that at the end of the 5-year period, there may be
at least one veterinarian for each locality, with the exception of the chief live-
stock centers. The Five-Year Plan for the development of livestock should be
approved as soon es possible. The-main orientation in the zootechnical field
should be improvement of exis.ing breeds, accompanied by improvement of basic
feeds and the practice of cross breeding.
11. During the 5-year period, sufficient investments should be made to
bring about important improvements and the construction of important irriga-
tion canals on a large scale, as has been done up to now, especially in Myzege.
The party committees and local executive committees should take special care
in expanding land improvement and the construction of irrigatioh canals.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
12. In the latter half of 1952, the corrections in the land register must
be completed throughout the republic, and henceforth, the verification of these
corrections will be made with precise geodetic means.
13. Socialist competition, during this year, must include not less than 75
percent of all workers in the state agricultural sector. It must 'e extended to
all existing cooperatives and must be better organized by'area, locality, aid
village. During this year, an effective syetem of setting an example in agricul-
ture must be established even in the villages. The decree concerning the award-
ing of decorations to all outstanding agricultural workers in the state, cooper-
ative, and private sector will be approved by the government and the Presidium
of the People's Assembly. They will begin to award the decorations this ,/ear.
Through the press, conferences, fairs, and agricultural expositions, the ex-
perience of Soviet kolkhozes, as well as our own advanced agricultural experience,
will be popularized and made known to the people. By decree of the Presidium
of the People's Assembly, the prices for agricultural produce will be designated,
and this decree will be issued each year.
14. The Five-Year Plan for forest lands will be made known to the people,
and the work will be organized as it has been this Year; the plan for afforestation
and the improvement of forest land will be extensively carried forward.
15. To train 6he necessary agricultural staffs, the following measures will
be taken: the bases for. courses for staffs of the agricultural cooperatives and
the Machine Tractor Stations will be broadened; the bases of agricultural tech-
nique will be broadened, and, as of this year, good foundations wil4-be established
for the creation of the Higher Institute of Agriculture on the university level.
In the academic year 1951-1952, the first classes in agronomic instruction will
begin in this institution with 50 students who have completed secondary school.
In the academic year 1952-1953, new schools of the institute Jill be founded: the
School of Animal Husbandry and the School of Industrial Crops. The institute will
have a capacity of no less than 300 students.
16. All the activity of' our agricultural sector must be guided by the im-
' pressive experience of Soviet agriculture. An uncompromising battle must be waged
for the elimination of every evidence of bourgeois reactionary influence in our
agriculture. Our agricultural technicians must devote r11 their efforts to the
accomplishment of the great duties which are being carried forward.
We have all the necessary conditions for the fulfillment of these important
duties. For the accomplishment of these duties we are relying on the invaluable
aid of the Soviet Union, on the correct guidance of the party, on the correct guid-
ance of the toiling .asses of our working class, headed by the party, on the will
and the capacity of our agricultural workers, and on the patriotism of the toiling
masses on our farms. With the accomplishment of these duties, our agriculture
will be tranformed from a backward and divided agriculture into an agriculture
which is far from backward and which is definitely progressing on the road to
collectivization -- on the road to advanced socialist agriculture.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
II. TEE POLICY OF TAXES AND PRICES AS REGARDS THE FARMERS
1. As fares the economic life of the farm areas is concerned, the period from
the liberation to the present is divided into two phases: the first phase is
that which lasted up to the end of 1949, wherein the system of taxation of the
farmers was based on the compulsory procurement by the state of all surpluses
tbq principal agricultural products; the second phase is that in which we find
ourselves today, wherein we are applying the system of taxation in kind on the
part of the state, as well as a progressive financial taxation on the agricultural
economy. The procurement of a'l farmers' surpluses was necessary for the state
in the first phase, since we had to recover economically from the war, and since
there was no other way of meeting the bread needs of the state and the working
centers.
The system of taxation in kind now in force is very just, because it
induces the farmers to produce as much as possible, secures a satisfactory fund
of agricultural produce for the state, and leaves t:ie farmers with a surplus
which they can use, according to their needs and desires, to purchase in either
reciprocal or free trade. Also, the system of financial taxation on the agri-
cultural econorgy is very just, because it is based on a progressive foundation,
on the principle that whoever makes the most profit pays the most. However, the
legal system now in force contains checks so that it may not bring about the
system of individual financial taxation of the kulaks. All poor farmers whose
incomes are less than 10,000 leks a year are exempt from financial taxation on
the agricultural economy.
2. The many errors in land registration and the obstacles in the old
classification of lands were a burden to the farmers. Hence, the government
is speeding up reform in the registration of land, has corrected the classi-
fication of lands, and has lowered the rate of taxation on grains by about
25 percent on the average. The state has given thousands of quintals of flour
*o the .farmers because of the drouth, and recently, it distributed bread in the
form of a loan in sufficient quantities to last until the narvest.
These measures were extended to the poor families of farmers because
of the lack of bread due to the great drouth of the past year. All these meas-
ures taken by the state on behalf of the farmers are based on the great care
of the party and of the government for the ally of the working class, the
working farmers; they emanate from the increased economic power of our country
and from the unceasing aid of the Sov' t Union and the People's Democracies.
The existing relations between the prices of industrial products and
those of agricultural products is such that they do not ei,courage the farmers
to purchase more through reciprocal trade than through free trade. Thus, the
state is usable to procure the large surpluses of the farmers through reciprocal
trade. The tendency of the farmers to purchase more through free trade is causing
a rise in the prices of agricultural products on the free market. The best way
to eliminate the disproportion between the prices of industrial products and agri-
cultural products is by continually increasing the production volume of industrial
crops and attempting to lower their costs, while lowering commercial expenses and
increasing the agricultural yield.
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
Duties in Relation to the Policy of Taxes and Prices
With Regard to the Farmers
Beginning with the main principles of party policy concerning taxes and prices
as regards the poor farmers -- principles which hz::e as their end, on the one hand,
the improvement of the poor farmers' lot above all thoss who are economically power-
less, and, on the other, the economic restraints on the kulak class -- a number of
considerations must be made, as enumerated below: (a) the best way to eliminate
the disproportion between the prices of agricultural products and the prices of
industrial products is by lowering the costs of industrial products, increasing
agricultural and livestock yields, and increasing the stores of agricultural prod-
ucts in the hands of the state and of economic organizations; and (b) practical
possibilities have been created for the state by the general strengthening of the
country's economy.
Considering these above-mentioned facts, we make known the following con-
crete duties:
1. The trade organs will organize their work in such a manner that they will
supply the farmers during this year with a quantity of industrial products through
reciprocal trade. With the equivalents which the government will designate, and
by exchanging these industrial products for agricultual products, they will be able,
during this year, to procure not less than 100,000 quintals of grain for bread from
this trade. They will see to it that, in future years, reciprocal trade is offered
to the farmers in greater quantities than ever before and that the store of grains
for bread acquired through this trade is increased each year.
2. The party committees, the local executive committees, and the storage
organizations will take all measures to identify kulaks and to tax them in such
a way that, during this year, through the taxation of the kulaks, the state will
be assured a bread fund.
3. Party propaganda among the farmers will be intensified for the procurement
of grain surpluses. The procurement of surpluses is :o be considered an important
duty for each Communist and for each functionary of the state who works in the farm
areas.
4. The party organizations and the organs of the state will organize the
grain-procurement campaign in such a way that it can be completed in the entire
republic by 1 September for cereals and by December for late crops. The saying
of the party, "The first threshing belongs to the state," must become a reality.
It is to be understood by all that the fight for the realization of the grain-pro-
curement plan is the fight for securing bread, for preserving peace, for establish-
ing socialism, and for protecting indfpendence. During the campaigns for grain pro-
curement, the best activists of the party and of the state, from centers and from
ouailyit1 districts, must engage in intensive work for the realization of the cam-
s[
( To ease the work of the farmers during the second 3 months of this year,
the $distry of Procurement will extend the network of depots for grain storage,
thus ringing the lower echelons of procurement nearer to the farms.
The government will study and decide on the lowering of taxation rates
on me t and will publish the report in April of this year.
The measures which the party and the go*.?rnment have taken, and which
they will continue to take in strengthening the poor and middle-class farmers,
should be lik4 a battle flag economically, like a powerful weapon in the hands
of, the party grganizations, to bind the farm workers more securely to the gov-
ern~ent, cc tl~e working ,:lass, and to the party. These measures should act as
a Owerful mains of increasing the love of our farmers for the Soviet Union and
Comrade Stalip, who are the chief factors making possible this improvement of
the farmers' lot. Agitators and propagandists should work in this direction.
- 10 -
CONFIDENTIAL
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
7. During April of this year, the government will consider and will make
a decision on thi. exemption from financial taxation of the poor farmers' economy
in the broadest terms, retroactive as of today.
8. All Communists and those without party affiliation who work in the state
sector of our economy, in industry, in the mines, and wherever else they may be,
must be completely and earnestly mobilized in the daily fight to lower production
costs. The fight to lower production costs is to be understood by all as a fight
for the maintenance of peace, strengthening the country's defenses, strengthening
the alliance between the working class and the farmers, and establishing socialism
in our country.
The lowering of production costs must be planned in all state enterprises.
During this year, -'roduction costs must be lowered on an average of not less then
10 percent compared with 1950 for all sectors of the state economy. Increasing
work norms, reducing administrative expenses, utilizing leftover materials from
production processes to the greatest possible extent, maintaining machinery in
good condition, and maximizing the exploitation of all the resources of the coun-
try for productions, all these factors must be used to the utmost to reduce pro-
duction cost.
1. The class struggle in the farm areas is characterized by its continued
intensity. On the one hand, the kulak class is being economically imited and
politically isolated by the party and the masses of working farmers, which are
growing each day, and, on the other, the kulaks are intensifying their attempts
to sabotage the aims of the government and are resisting economic limitation and
political isolation. They have not been able to organize themselves in their
struggle against the state, against the vigilanc:: of the party and the masses of
the farmers, and against the untiring work of the security organs of the state,
but they are carrying on sabotage -in a thousand ways, using for the most part
the tactics of "pick up the stone but hide the hand." Recently, the kulaks of
Zemblaku village reached the point of performing acts of terrorism and burned
the village Cooperative.
2. The directives of the Central Committee in connection with the class
war in the farm areas have not been implemented as they should. Up to now, only
a very small part of the kulsks. nave been identified. And while, on the one hand
there is inexcusable negligence on the part of the party and state organs in
failing to identify kulaks, on the other hand, there has appeared a dangerous
extremist element in connection with the fight agains' identified kulake. The
latter consists of the police measures against the kulaks in toto, which turned
into a frontal offensive for the liquidation of the kulaks as a class. Such
was the case in Korce last October. It must be understood by all that we are
not now in the phase of liquidation of the kulak class but rather we are in the
phase of economic limitation and political isolation of the kulaks. The struggle
against the kulak class has been successful up to now only when the party has
mobilized the masses of the poor and middle-class farmers for this struggle.
Our Duties in the Class Struggle in the Farming Areas
Considering +hat in the transitional phase from capitalism to socialism, the
class ctruggle does not abate but becomes more embittered, we must keep in mind
what the great Lenin said: "Even after the first serious defeat of the sinking
exploiters, since they do not accept their overthrow, since they cannot believe
such a thing, since they cannot conceive such a thing, they rise, to the fight
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA- RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
with greatly increased energy, with a furious passion, with an anger increased
hundred-fold, to recover the lost 'market' for their families so that they may
again lead the sweet life, the life which is now being ruined by the 'vulgar
populace' with destruction, noise, and 'menial labor'." Considering all this,
our duty is to intensify the class struggle in the farm areas as much as possible,
economically limiting and politically isolating the kulak class, and drawing the
masses of the poor and middle-class farmers into this struggle. To this end, we
publish the following concrete duties:
1. During the tsxt 3 months, we must identify all the kulaks in our country,
according to the directives contained in the Central Committee letter which was
addressed to the local committees on 1 October 1950. It should always be kept in
mind that the individual farm economy continuously gives birth to the capitalist
element, i.e., new kulaks.
2. We must reinforce the work of the party in the farm areas in order to
make the general masses of poor and middle-class farmers join the struggle to
limit the kulaks. To stir up the poor farmers against the kulaks, especially
the many kulaka who resist the laws of the state and who commit hostile acts,
the state will confiscate the letters' wealth, and 25 percent of this wealth
will be distributed free to the poor farmers.
3. The work of the party in the farm areas will be increased to root out
ad expose all the methods and means imployed by the kulaks against the people's
government.
4. The local party committees will receive even more help from the Central
Committee in such a manner that no divergence from the party 1_ne is possible in
the class struggle in the farm areas. Not only the Directorate of Agriculture,
but also the other directorates of the Central Committee and the secretariat of
the Politburo should make sure that this question receives special attention.
5. All aid to kulaks who persist in diverging from the party line should be
withdrawn immediately. (The kulak must not receive cotton seed under the same
conditions as the rest of the farmers; the kulak must pay more for Machine Tractor
Station work than the other farmers, and the Machine Tractor Stations must not
work pis land unless it is planted with industrial crops.) To this end, the
government will issue special instructions for the economic limitation of the
kulak class.
1. The existing agricultural cooperatives, through the aid given them by
the state, have been economically strengthened. They have achieved a much higher
output than the individual farmer and in every way are setting an example and are
encouraging the individual farmers to embark on the road to collectivization.
Individual farmers by the hundreds are requesting that new cooperatives be es-
tablished. These requests have not come as a result of any pressure, but only
as a result of persuasion of the poor and middle-class farmers. They have berm
shown that if they enter a cooperative, they will achieve much greater grins.
2. The agitation and propaganda of the party has not been as extensive as
it should be for the spread of collectivization on the farms.
3. The necessary conditions are present for the spread of collectivization
in the farm areas. Our assets for spreading the collectivization of agriculture
are: the very existence of the people's government; the raising of our economic
power, which makes it possible for the state to aid the farmers; the example set
by the existing state agricultural enterprises; the great aid which the Soviet
Union is giving us; the aid given by the People's Democracies, and the deuire
and will of our poor and middle-class farmers to join in the collectivization
program and also in the limitations being imposed on the kulaks.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
4. The :ay of collectivization is the only way to establish socialism in
the farm areas. Without the establishment of socialism in the farm areas, it
will not be possible to establish socialism in our country. If we do not col-
lectivize agriculture, it will remain in a primitive and divided condition. The
speed of its development will not be satisfactory, it will not fill the needs
of the people and industry for agricultural products, and our government will
not be strengthened, as is necessary.
Concrete: Duties in Connection With
The Collectivization of Agriculture
Considering that without the collectivization of farms, it will not be
possible to establish socialism; considering furthermore that Comrade Stalin
has said, "the way out for agriculture is that small and very small farm econ-
omies should gradually, without pressure, but rather by example and complete
persuasion, be united into large economies on the basis of common and collective
work on the lands, the use of agricultural machinery and tractors, and the em-
ployment of scientific methods for the intensification of agriculture. There is
no other way out"; considering finally that all conditions are ripe in our
country for extending the collectivization of farms -- considering all these
things, our chief duty is to extend the collectivization of the farms by strength-
ening the existing agricultural cooperatives and creating new agricultural co-
operatives, as well as agricultural collectives, without pressure, but through
practical example and persuasion, on the basis of the free will of the poor and
middle-class farmers. To this end, we must be mobilized to realize the following
concrete dutiej:
1. We must strengthen the existing agricultural cooperatives with staffs,
agrarian credit) Machine Tractor Stations, selected seeds, tools, and technical
aid.
2. We musj increase party agitation and propaganda in the farm areas for
more extensive collectivization to persuade the poor and middle-class farmers
to enter agricultural cooperatives and agricultural. collectives voluntarily.
Our aim must be that, by the end of the 5-year period, we shall have collectiv-
ized our plain areas, foothills, and mountain land and instituted collective forms
of agriculture everywhere. The agricultural collectives will be set up on the
basis of the project-statute approved by the plenum. Agricultural collectives
may be formed not only on mountain and foothill land, but also in the flat areas.
3. A plan ,hould be made for importing machines and tractors in quantities
sufficient to fill the needs which may arise with the extension of collectivization
and, at the same time, to fill the needs of the individual farmers, as well as
those of the state agricultural enterprises.
4. The Ministry of Agriculture will train the staffs necessary for the
existing cooperatives, as well as for new cooperatives to be created in the
future. The local party committees will take measures so that the requests
for staffs which the Ministry of Agriculture will make shall be filled. Measures
will be taken to see that the staffs for the cooperatives have at least completed
primary school.
1. The present party organization in the farm areas has many shortcomings.
The central organizations are too far from the local committees. lie local com-
mittees are weak in their work, and their communications with the central organ-
izations.are also weak. Thus, party directives do not always reach the farms; the
local committees are not exercising the necessary control and are not giving the
needed aid to the neutral farm organizations.
- 13 -
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
2. The political and ideological work on the farms is not satisfactory.
The local committees have not made the necessary efforts to obtain political
and ideological education for the Communists in the farm areas, and even less
to obtain political and cultural education for the farmers outside the party.
3. Of the chief shortcomings which we have listed above, the most important
one is that the party organizattna in the farm areas have not been able to in-
stitute strong action among the farmers outside the party. "The party grows and
is strengthened," said Stalin, "if all classes of activity by men outside the
party grow and are strengthened around the party. The party is weakened and
loses strength if such activity does not exist." The activity of the farmers
among us who are outside the party is very weak. Often, the Communists do work
without trying to influence those farmers who are not in the party.
4. The Communists of the farms, in general, and also many functionaries
of the state lack the necessary tact to attract the masses. They consider them-
selves privileged because they are in the party or because they have a government
post., and they take a commanding attitude rather than a persuading one. This
hinders the work of the party in the farm areas and hurts the bond linking the
party to the masses of farmers.
These are the chief shortcomings of the work of the party in the farm areas.
On the other hand, the successes of the party in the farm areas have been great.
These successes show themselves in the flaming patiotism of our farmers who, as
they did during the war, when, with prime devotion to the party, they took arms
and fought for liberation, are today linked in an insoluble manner to the party
and to the government. The untiring work which the farmers have done in in-
creasing production and in fulfilling their obligations to the state, their active
and very satisfactory participation in the vo.ing of 28 May of last year and in
February of this year, their participation in the state loan, the vigilance of
the farming masses against internal enemies, their unbounded hatred of external
and internal enemies, their readiness for the defense of the fatherle '. against
all enemies, their great love for the Soviet Union and for our party, and their
love of peace,all these are the successes of the pail.y in the farm areas.
Our Duties in Connection With Strengthening
the Work of the Party in the Farm Areas
Since the party is the advance guard of the working class, and since, without
a strong party, the farmers would not be able to solve any of tt.a serious problems
of farming; furthermore, since the strengthening of the party in the farm areas
is of primary importance for the successful accomplishment of all the duties which
we have before us, and as we have accepted the commands of Comrade Enver for the
strengthening of the party in the farm areas, our chief duty is to reinforce the
party organizationally, politically, and ideologically in the farm areas.
1. The following organizational measures must be taken: The local party
committees should be reinforced with new staffs (in the most important localities,
party committees with limited functions should be created, similar to the factory
committees, which would serve to strengthen the direction of party work in the
farm areas; in the other localities, a party organizer should be designated for
each locality). The number of instructors of the local committees should be
increased by the necessary ratio. These organizational measures will be accom-
plished by the end of May of the current year.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2 ~
2. Measures should be taken for the improvement of social work of the party
organizations in the farm areas, such as the people's councils, the youth, the
women, the front, and all other organizations of the masses in the farm areas.
The poor farmers should be gladly elevated to positiops of responsibility, and
hostile elements should be cleaned out.
3. The b)litburo will be charged with the duty of studying measures to be
carried out to increase political and ideological work in the farm areas.
4. Special care should be taken to further the cultural and educational devel-
opment of he farming masses.
5. The Bf38H (Union of Albanian Women) will increase its educational work
to broaden as much as yossible the role of women in the political, economic and
cultural field in our country. Special c^_-,e must be devoted to the participation
of women in agricultural work.
6. It is recommended that the Presidium of the People's Assembly re-examine
the competence of the people's councils of the farm areas so that their capabilities
may be broadened, which at present are very limited, and that they may be better
activated and may have more authority in directing women workers in the farm areas.
Measures should be taken on the part of the government to strengthen with new staffs,
local executive committees, as well as the executive committees of the areas which
are weak.
7. The primary duty of the party in the farm areas must be to center the
activity of the farmers outside the party around the party organizations in the
farm villages. This must be done first by increasing the activity of the Com-
munists of the areas, and in this way, the farmers' councils will be activated,
as well as the youth, women'ssand front organizations. Without such activity,
a stron, activity, the work of the party will be paralyzed.
8. Special care should be given to strengthening the youth organizations
and the base organizations of the BRPSh (Union of the Albanian People's Youth),
which must take complete responsibility for the implement.tion of party directives
in villages which have no party organization.
9. In strengthening our bonds with the working masses on the farms, we
should be guided by the teaching of Comrade Stalin, according to which, "To give
life to the soviets, one condition is necessary above all else. It is necessary
that personal tact be fundamentally changed in approaching the farmers. But
what can bring about the change? By the Communist learning to consider as equals
those outside the party. To do this he should not command, but he should listen
with attention to the words of those outside the party. To do this, he should
not only teach those outside the party, but he should also learn with them. Indeed,
we have much to learn from men who are not party members. The question of recip-.
rocal relationships between men in the party and nonparty members is one of the
chief questions in the practice of the party. Lenin defined these relationships
with one term, 'mutual faith.' However, faith on the part of a farmer who is
not in the party cannot be found by those who do not know how to approach him
as an equal. In such a case, instead of faith, mistrust to formed, and at the
same time, the work itself adds to tL. creation of a great barrier between the
party and the men outside the party. The arty becomes separated from the masses,
and the bond between the workers and the farmers is tranformed into a barrier."
That is how Comrade Stalin teaches us, anc: that is how we should act.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2
These are the min shortcomings and duties in connection with the work of
the party in the fan areas. The fulfillment of these duties is the indispensable
?oondition for the further development of agriculture, for the strengthening of
the ate, and for the establishment of socialism.
The apparatus of the Central Committee and the courts, as well as all the
interested institutions, should plan, within the month of April of the current
year,. the measures which they will take to accomplish the duties with which they
are charged by this plenum.
The duties rhi.ch have been set forth by this plenum are completely capable
of being accomplished. Our party, led by its Central Committee headed by Comrade
Bever, the invaluable aid of the Soviet Union, and the aid of the People's ;)smoc-
racies,? is the greatest guarantee for the realization of these duties. Neither
the insults and threats of external enemies nor the attempts of the reactionaries
within the country can. or will ever be able to stop the impetus of our people in
its work for the protection of peace and the fatherland and for the establishment
of socialise.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070451-2