What is collectivization?

Collectivization refers to the process of consolidating individual landholdings and labor into collective farms, typically under state control. This approach was primarily employed in the Soviet Union during the late 1920s and 1930s as part of a broader strategy to modernize agriculture and increase productivity through mechanization. By creating large state-run farms, the government aimed to enhance efficiency, exert direct control over agricultural output, and enforce state policies regarding agricultural production and distribution.

The rationale behind collectivization was that it would eliminate the inefficiencies associated with small-scale farming and enable the state to better manage resources, implement new technologies, and ultimately boost agricultural production to support industrialization efforts. This strategy often resulted in significant upheaval for rural populations, including forced relocation and the suppression of peasant resistance.

In contrast, the other options presented do not accurately describe the concept of collectivization. Individual farms, small-scale peasant farming, and the privatization of agricultural production all focus on decentralized or individual ownership, which directly opposes the principles underlying collectivization. Thus, the correct answer encapsulates the essence of this policy shift towards collectivized agricultural practices.