Why was the crop lien system so bad for farmers?

The crop lien system was detrimental to farmers because it often trapped them in a cycle of debt. Farmers borrowed money against their future harvests to purchase supplies, leading to high interest rates and exploitative conditions. Poor harvests due to weather or market fluctuations meant they could not repay their debts, resulting in the loss of land and further financial instability. This system perpetuated poverty among farmers, limiting their economic mobility and independence.