In Africa, Inheriting a Field or a Feud?

Saniquellie, Liberia — A trip to a rice farm near here is like visiting a West African version of the Secret Garden. There’s a long trip down a dirt road, then a sweaty hike through the weeds. The path twists past orange, cacao, and coffee trees, through sand castles of fire ants; leaves slap at cheeks and grasses slice ankles – until, suddenly, the brush clears. Acres of silky green rice stalks sway in a breeze, and if it’s harvest season, their beige pods bob, boasting nutritious seeds.