How has unequal land distribution affected small farmers in El Salvador?

In El Salvador, the disproportionate distribution of land has historically favored large-scale commercial agriculture, which has significantly disadvantaged small farmers. This structural imbalance leaves many small-scale agriculturalists landless and unable to cultivate the subsistence crops necessary for their own survival.1

The roots of this issue trace back to the colonial era, when the development of large estates for commercial products like indigo and sugar created a system where a few wealthy families controlled the most productive land, while the majority of the population remained dependent on subsistence farming. This pattern persisted into the 20th century, as the national economy became heavily centered on coffee production.234

Despite government attempts at agrarian reform in the late 1970s, progress toward a more equitable distribution of land and income has been exceedingly slow. Consequently, the country remains unable to achieve food self-sufficiency, forcing a reliance on food imports. This ongoing inequality contributes to broader social challenges, including widespread poverty and malnutrition, as small farmers struggle to maintain their livelihoods amidst a system that prioritizes commercial exports over local food security.51