USSR

the long version

Extract: During 1982, the USSR registered its first increase in agricultural output since 1978. Overall output was valued at 126 billion rubles, about 4 percent above 1981. USDA estimates the Soviets produced about 180 million tons of grain, a significant improvement over the 160 million thought to have been produced in 1981. Generally, output of other crops and livestock holdings also showed increases over 1981. The new Soviet leadership seems to be placing even greater emphasis on reforming the institutional setting of Soviet agriculture than did the Politburo under General Secretary Brezhnev.