Laman Manarani is fulfilling a unique need on the island of Taha’a in French Polynesia.
The Latter-day Saint provides fresh lettuce on the Pacific island, which lacks many fresh vegetables.
The fisherman turned farmer uses the waste produced by farmed fish in aquaculture to supply nutrients to his Batavia lettuce grown hydroponically or in water, which in turn purifies the water. Using this unique food production system known as aquaponics, he can produce a head of lettuce in just four weeks.
Not only is Laman Manarani filling a need in the community, but he is also supporting his family.
Elder Peter F. Meurs, General Authority Seventy and member of the Pacific Area presidency, and his wife, Sister Maxine Meurs, recently toured the Manarani family’s aquaponics farm. In an article on the Church’s Pacific Newsroom, Elder Meurs summarized the Manaranis’ experience: “Laman took a self-reliance course and followed through with what the course teaches students to do, which is to look for what is needed. In Taha’a, Laman saw a need for fresh produce, especially lettuce. Laman now provides lettuce to his community and supermarkets in other areas. Everyone is blessed.”
Read more at thechurchnews.com