Question

The headright system encouraged the growth of plantations in Virginia by

Answer 1

"In 1618, the headright system was introduced as a means to solve the labor shortage. It provided the following:

Colonists already residing in Virginia were granted two headrights, meaning two tracts of 50 acres each, or a total of 100 acres of land.
New settlers who paid their own passage to Virginia were granted one headright. Since every person who entered the colony received a headright, families were encouraged to migrate together.
Wealthy individuals could accumulate headrights by paying for the passage of poor individuals. Most of the workers who entered Virginia under this arrangement came as indentured servants — people who paid for their transportation by pledging to perform five to seven years of labor for the landowner.
The ability to amass large plots of land by importing workers provided the basis for an emerging aristocracy in Virginia. Plantation owners were further enriched by receiving headrights for newly imported slaves."

Answer 2

In short, the headright system gave people land on certain conditions, so they could use it for farming. The large amounts of land and increased availability of labor allowed for the growth of plantations.