How did cash crops affect farmers?

Cash crops significantly impacted farmers by shifting their focus from subsistence farming to the production of specific high-value crops for sale, often leading to increased income. However, this dependency on cash crops made farmers vulnerable to market fluctuations and price volatility. Additionally, the emphasis on cash crops sometimes resulted in the neglect of food crops, affecting food security for farming households. Overall, while cash crops could boost economic prospects, they also introduced risks and challenges for farmers.