Public grain, as part of the grain that farmers have to pay, is a pain for many farmers. However, public grain does not only refer to agricultural taxes, but also includes the unified purchase of grain paid by farmers. The agricultural tax is calculated on the basis of the annual output and is levied at a rate of about 15 percent, while the unified purchase of grain is not fixed, and can reach up to 70 percent. In the early years of liberation, the peasants only had to pay agricultural taxes, and the surplus grain could be disposed of by themselves. However, from 1953 onwards, in order to purchase more grain, the state implemented a policy of unified purchase and marketing, and cooperatives gradually evolved into communes. Under the commune system, the grain grown by the peasants became collectively owned, and they had to pay agricultural taxes and purchase grain, and the rest was the peasants' rations. This policy has led to a substantial increase in the amount of grain requisitioned and purchased, ensuring urban food rations and earning foreign exchange through exports.
However, this policy also led to economic hardship for farmers. Under the commune system, the peasants paid their grain to the state at a low price** and received very little income. In addition to the annual agricultural tax, a part of the grain is deposited in a state-designated bank for national construction. Farmers have made a great contribution to the development of the country, not only bearing the scissors difference, but also contributing the original money. After the reform and opening up, the agricultural tax was changed to cash collection, but there was a huge gap in the rural finance, in order to make up for this gap, the local government began to collect all kinds of township co-ordination, village retention fees, and still some other apportionment of miscellaneous fees. The peasants sell their grain to the grain stations, and then use the money to pay taxes and fees, of which the grain at a parity price and the grain at a negotiated price are determined according to certain standards.
From a historical point of view, farmers have made a huge contribution to the development of the country. Not only did they pay for food, but they also did a lot of volunteer work. Over the past few decades, farmers have brought their own rations and actively participated in various construction projects such as water conservancy projects, roads, factories, and schools, making great contributions to the country's development.
However, the burden on farmers is also heavier. In addition to paying taxes, they also need to bear the expenses of education, medical care, housing, pension, etc. With the advancement of urbanization, farmers are facing more economic pressure. In addition, in the past period of unified purchasing and marketing, many peasants could not offset the overall retention costs paid by the grain harvested, resulting in difficulties in their livelihood.
After 2006, with the abolition of the agricultural tax, the pooled retention and miscellaneous fees were also abolished. However, in the process of urbanization, the cost of education, medical care and other aspects has increased, increasing the burden on farmers. Although the economic burden on the peasants has been reduced, there are still pooled retention and miscellaneous expenses in the grassroots organizations.
In order to protect the rights and interests of the peasants, it is necessary to further reform the public grain system and lighten the peasants' economic burden. Pooled retention and miscellaneous fees should be phased out to ensure that farmers receive fair economic gains. At the same time, it is also necessary to strengthen the social security system for peasants and provide more educational, medical, and old-age services to ensure the quality of life and welfare of peasants. In addition, rural infrastructure construction should be strengthened, the level of development in rural areas should be improved, and more employment opportunities and income** should be provided for farmers, so as to reduce their economic pressure. Only in this way can we truly protect the rights and interests of peasants and promote the sustainable development of rural areas.