A sovkhoz is a type of state-owned farm that was established in the former Soviet Union. Unlike collective farms, where land and resources were shared among farmers, sovkhozes were managed directly by the government. Workers on these farms were paid wages and received benefits, similar to employees in other state-run enterprises. Sovkhozes played a significant role in the agricultural system of the Soviet Union, producing various crops and livestock. They were part of the broader strategy to increase agricultural output and ensure food security for the nation, alongside other agricultural models like kolkhozes.