What steps did mao zedong take to increase food production?

He allowed the government to take control of the agriculture.
He insisted on production of more grains 
He insisted on protection from famines
He earned from exporting the productivities from China. 
He encouraged self-sufficiency and asked people to cultivate food for themselves and for business.
He promoted free speech and criticism
He put into action "The great leap forward"
He promoted steel production and encouraged backyard steel factories, so that economy may rise and nobody starves.