Crofters are farmers who work on small plots of land for subsistence farming. They mainly grow crops and vegetables, and keep livestock such as cows, sheep or pigs. Other terms that can be used to describe crofters are smallholders, tenants, or homesteaders. Smallholders refer to individuals who cultivate small areas of land, whereas tenants work on rented land. Homesteaders, on the other hand, are people who live on a piece of land and farm it for their livelihoods. In Scotland, crofters are also referred to as cottars. They are an integral part of rural communities and contribute greatly to local economies.