Sunday, November 16, 2008

The bush? No, it's a farm. Yes, a farm

In Liberia, farms look a lot like the surrounding bush. Why? There are at least a few reasons. First, Liberia's climate is perfect for growing things--not only crops, but weeds. Second, farmers here do not have a tradition of fully clearing land before planting, nor of keeping land clear while crops are growing. Third, farmers use elbow grease to eliminate brush, not chemicals and pesticides. Hence weeds often overtake crops. The result is a patchwork of rice paddies that mix and mingle with the local flora. See the pictures below.
Above: 8 acres of rice and plantains, somewhere amidst the weeds and trees.
Proud farm owner Guzeh Subah smiles in front of his Lofa county farm.

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