Economic Reliance on Tobacco in Chesapeake Colonies

During the early 17th century, the Chesapeake colonies, notably Virginia and Maryland, underwent significant developments characterized by the establishment of plantations, the use of indentured servitude, and the importation of enslaved individuals. In this context, the economies of these colonies were heavily influenced by the cultivation of tobacco. Which of the following statements best explains a primary reason for the reliance on tobacco cultivation in the Chesapeake Colonies during this period?