Editing Pyotr Masherov (section)

=== Agricultural reforms ===
Under Masherov's rule, the Belarusian agricultural industry, which had typically been at the forefront of the economy, expanded far beyond its traditional production levels. Masherov took power with the ambitious goal of expanding the Belarusian grain harvest from the 2.3 million tons it had been producing to 9-10 million tons, stating that Belarus would need to feed itself, as well as other republics within the Soviet Union. His efforts proved moderately successful; by 1977 the grain harvest had increased to 7.3 million tons.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dzyemyantsyey|first=Mikalay|title=Respect for Business|pages=116}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite book|last=Vecherko|first=G. N.|title=He Did Not Show Himself, and Did Not Utter Incantations|pages=240}}</ref>

Masherov raised eyebrows in 1974 when he appointed biologist {{ill|Viktor Shevelukha|ru|Шевелуха, Виктор Степанович}} as secretary of agriculture in the Central Committee of the CPB. Though Shevelukha was known at the time as a devoted socialist and was a member of the CPSU, he was not a politician, as many appointments were at the time, but a professional in the agricultural field. Many of Masherov's other appointments regarding such matters were also professionals rather than politicians. This happened largely due to the enthusiastic support of [[Fyodor Kulakov]], who was Secretary of the Central Committee's Agricultural Department; the agreement of the Central Committee was required for any appointments who were not already party officials.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Smirnov|first=A. A.|title=We Met a Long Time Ago|pages=98}}</ref>