How were the haciendas operated in new Spain?

In New Spain, haciendas were large estates that operated as self-sufficient agricultural and livestock farms. They were typically owned by wealthy Spanish landowners and relied on a labor force consisting of Indigenous people, mestizos, and sometimes enslaved Africans. The hacienda system emphasized the production of crops like sugar, coffee, and grains, often using traditional farming methods. Additionally, the haciendas played a significant role in the social and economic structure of colonial society, influencing local economies and labor practices.