During 1954 and 1955, elementary co-operatives developed rapidly,
increasing from 15,000 in 1953 to 114,000 in 1954 to 633,000 in 1955. In an
elementary co-operative, while retaining private ownership, peasants
pooled their land for common use and management. Draught-animals
and large farm implements also remained under private ownership but
were used jointly by co-operative members. Income from the cooperative
was distributed according to both work and investment in the
form of land, draught-animals and farm implements.