What is a primary feature of a lease agreement in sharecropping?

In sharecropping, a primary feature of a lease agreement is the arrangement of profit sharing from the harvested crops. In this system, the sharecropper, who is typically a tenant farmer, does not pay cash rent to the landowner; instead, they agree to give a portion of the crops produced from the land back to the landowner as rent. This arrangement allows the sharecropper to work the land and benefit from the harvest while also ensuring that the landowner receives compensation without demanding cash upfront.

This model of profit sharing reflects a partnership between the landowner and the tenant, where both parties have a vested interest in the crop yield. It alleviates the financial risk for the sharecropper, who may not have the capital to pay rent outright, while providing the landowner a share of the profits derived from the farming activities.