Taro, elephant ear, growing in an irrigation pit. The ocean tide is out.
23 February 2011 | Butaritari
For farming, rectangular pits are dug 2 feet into the coral ground to reach the fresh water. Fresh water can be found on nearly any coral atoll. It floats on top of the sea water. Here, taro (elephant ear) cassava (tapioca), banana and other plants are cultivated, naturally watered with the fresh water as it rises and falls daily with the salt water tide. Orange and lemon trees are every where. Pigs and chickens are numerous.