The correct answer is C. Provide a steady labor supply for early colonists
Step-by-step explanation:
The Encomienda system was a labor and slavery system mainly used in South and Central America during the colonization period. This system implied families or groups of indigenous people were assigned land by European colonizers. Moreover, natives grew crops and took care of the land, which benefited mainly Europeans and in exchange, natives were instructed about catholicism. This system was mainly inhumane as indigenous people were forced to work in difficult conditions, but it was beneficial to colonizers because in this way they had a constant labor supply to earn profits.