Agricultural taxes and unified grain purchases have been an unavoidable burden on Chinese peasants for a long time, and their course is like an epic of national development, intertwined with the hard work of peasants and the road of national construction. From "paying enough to the state, keeping enough for the collective, and the rest is their own" to facing new challenges after the abolition of agricultural taxes, the contributions and sacrifices of farmers are truly admired by everyone. Let's take a fresh look at this history and explore its details and mysteries.
Agricultural taxes and unified grain purchases are burdens that the peasants cannot get rid of for many years, and they bear the heavy burden of national construction and peasants' livelihood. The agricultural tax was based on output, and the tax rate was as high as about 15 at one time, and the unified purchase of grain accounted for a large part of the peasants' harvest, which made them distressed. Although the state gave some preferential treatment to the peasants, such as allowing the peasants to dispose of their surplus grain during the cooperative period, with the implementation of the policy of unified purchase and marketing, the peasants' food rations became struggling unconsciously. Since 1954, when the volume of requisitioned has surged, farmers' incomes have gradually decreased, and the contribution of food has become the backbone of national construction. The peasants in this historical period can be described as the silent heroes of the country's development, but few people know about their dedication to the country.
As cooperatives evolved into communes, farmers faced more financial pressures. However, with the decentralization of taxes and fees to the local government, the fiscal gap between villages has been expanding, and the apportionment of miscellaneous expenses has emerged in an endless stream. In addition to normal expenses such as agricultural taxes and unified grain purchases, farmers also need to bear a variety of additional expenses such as farmland capital construction costs, unified production costs, drought resistance, and plant protection. This has undoubtedly increased the burden on the peasants and made it difficult for them to escape from the prison of poverty. At this time, it has become a kind of helplessness for farmers to sell grain to **, but the income is difficult to make up for the heavy pressure caused by the burden.
* It stipulates two standards of grain at parity and at bargaining price, and farmers need to set the quantity of grain according to the formulation, of which the quantitative standard of grain parity is usually determined according to the agricultural tax and other expenses payable by farmers. However, due to the fact that the standards for overall retention and miscellaneous fees are not fixed, local governments often overcharge farmers' fees, making it difficult to control farmers' incomes. In some places, the cost is even several times the regular state tax, which has brought a heavy economic burden to the peasants. This drastic financial apportionment has made it difficult for the peasants to make ends meet with the income from their hard work, and their lives have fallen into an embarrassing situation.
After a long period of burden and pressure, farmers have bravely met the challenges of the new era. With the abolition of the agricultural tax, the sacrifices made for the development of the country are gradually being remembered. Although farmers have suffered a burden in the past, their contribution is truly an integral part of the country's development.
For a long time, peasants undertook all kinds of voluntary and cumulative work, including the construction of water conservancy projects, roads, factories, schools, etc. These seemingly mundane tasks are an indispensable part of nation-building. The hard work of farmers has saved a lot of costs for the country, and at the same time, it has also brought convenience to the local community and the people. Although they receive a small amount of money and have a limited amount left, these seemingly insignificant jobs accumulate immeasurable wealth and create great value for the country and society.
As the times change, farmers are also facing new challenges. The abolition of agricultural taxes has eased their burden, but the ensuing wave of urbanization has created many new problems. The centralization of education and medical resources, and the increase in the cost of housing, pension, and medical care, have made farmers face new economic difficulties. However, farmers are still bravely moving forward in the trend of the times, devoting themselves to more industries and fields, and contributing their own strength to the rapid development of the country's economy.
The contributions and sacrifices of farmers are an indispensable part of China's development history. From agricultural taxes and unified grain purchases to the challenges and changes in the process of modern urbanization, the role and status of farmers are constantly changing. They have grown up under burdens and pressures, and have made unparalleled contributions to the country and society. With the progress of the times, farmers are also playing an important role in new fields, showing unlimited potential and value. Let us remember the hard work of farmers, respect the fruits of their labor, and work together to build a better society.