What is a collective farm?

A collective farm, also known as a kolkhoz, is an agricultural production unit in which multiple farmers work collectively on land owned by the state or the community. This concept emerged in the 1920s as a part of the Soviet Union's policy of collectivization.

Collective farms were typically established in rural areas to encourage agricultural productivity and ensure food security. The farms aimed to consolidate small land holdings into larger units, pooling resources such as land, machinery, and labor. The farmers, known as kolkhozniks, worked together on the farm, sharing responsibilities and sharing the profits or harvests.

Key characteristics of collective farms include:

1. State or community ownership: The land and assets of collective farms were owned by the state or the community as a whole. This allowed for centralized planning and control of agricultural production.

2. Centralized decision-making: Collective farms were managed by a committee or elected representatives who made decisions regarding crop selection, production techniques, allocation of resources, and distribution of profits.

3. Labor sharing: Kolkhozniks worked collectively, often organized into brigades, performing tasks such as sowing, harvesting, and tending to livestock. This facilitated efficient use of labor and machinery.

4. Profit sharing: Profits generated by collective farms were distributed among the kolkhozniks based on their contribution, including labor, machinery, or livestock. However, the state often retained a portion of the profits for reinvestment or to meet national targets.

5. State support: Collective farms received support from the state in the form of subsidies, access to credit, agricultural inputs, and technical assistance. This support aimed to improve agricultural productivity and incentivize farmers to embrace collective farming.

6. Socialist ideology: The establishment of collective farms was driven by socialist ideology, emphasizing the importance of communal effort, equal distribution of wealth, and the goal of transforming agricultural production for the benefit of the working class.

Although collective farms aimed to increase productivity, they faced various challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, lack of individual incentives, bureaucratic interference, and resistance from traditional farmers. The implementation of the collective farm system also led to forced collectivization, widespread confiscation of private property, and significant social and economic disruption.

Collective farming declined in the late 20th century as many countries moved towards more market-oriented agricultural systems. Today, very few collective farms remain, primarily in countries with planned economies or strong rural cooperatives.