The article is devoted to the distribution of advanced agricultural machinery among peasants of Kostroma Province in the early 20th century. The economic consciousness of most peasants at this time was very conservative. They used outdated machinery and traditional land-processing techniques. The author considers the propaganda of new technology among peasants, Zemstvo demonstrated to them the advantages of new machines. After that, Zemstvo offered equipment to peasants or rent. In order for it to be available, rental fees were minimal and the network of rent points was branched. After that, the Zemstvo offered peasants to buy agricultural machines. This could be done in the agricultural warehouses that were available in each county. At the same time, the Zemstvo did not receive great benefit from the sale of equipment. The peasants used mainly agricultural machines that were produced in Russia. The activities of Zemstvo contributed to the technical progress of Russia’s agriculture, many peasants already had ploughs, seedlings, sorting machines and other advanced equipment. Of course, not all peasants could buy such machines because of their pretty high cost.
Key words: Zemstvo, agricultural machinery, agricultural engineering, Russian peasantry, Zemstvo agronomists, agricultural warehouses, technological
progress.
Reference to article:
Baldin K. E. Technical progress of the peasant holding in Kostroms province in the early 20th century // Ivanovo State University Bulletin. Series «The Humanities». 2020. No.3. P. 39-47.