In the first half of the 20th century, what was considered necessary for developing modern agriculture in Russia and industrial farming?
(A) Eliminating kulaks.
(B) Taking away land from small and medium farmers and handing it over to big farmers.
(C) Offering large-scale loans to the 'Kulaks' by the state.
(D) Taking away land from peasants, and establishing state-controlled large farms.

Correct option is B

Correct Answer: (A) and (D)
Explanation:
→ In the first half of the 20th century, particularly during the Stalinist era in the Soviet Union, industrial farming and modern agriculture were seen as essential for the country's economic growth and self-sufficiency.
→ Eliminating kulaks (wealthier peasants who owned land and resources) and redistributing their land was considered necessary to consolidate agriculture under state control. The kulaks were seen as a hindrance to collectivization, as they were wealthier and opposed the forced redistribution of land.
→ The state’s strategy involved taking away land from peasants and establishing state-controlled large farms known as collective farms (kolkhozes) and state farms (sovkhozes). These large-scale collective farming units were believed to be more efficient and could increase productivity to meet the demands of industrialization.
→ The collectivization of agriculture was a central feature of Stalin's policy aimed at modernizing agriculture in the Soviet Union, despite the heavy human cost, including famine and the suppression of opposition.
→ Statements (A) and (D) correctly reflect the approach of eliminating kulaks and consolidating land into large state-controlled farms.
Information Booster:
→ Kulaks were targeted during Stalin's collectivization policies, with many of them either executed or exiled to forced labor camps.
→ The goal of collectivization was to boost agricultural production and free up labor for industrialization.
→ The policy of collectivization caused severe hardship for the peasantry, leading to widespread famine and resistance. The Holodomor in Ukraine (1932-1933) is one of the most tragic consequences of this policy.
→ The large-scale state farms were supposed to be more productive, but in reality, they often led to inefficiencies and resistance from the peasants who were forced to work on them.