Vika Vataniyaragi Tadu Varuru, 25, is striving to win the Miss Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North title to create a positive impact within the community and promote food security in Fiji for sustainable living. Sponsored by Northern Civil Service, the dietician from Labasa Health Centre is one of nine contestants competing in this week’s festival at Subrail Park in Labasa.
Hailing from Nasinu Village, Navatu, Cakaudrove, with maternal ties to Yavea, Vanuabalavu in Lau, Miss Varuru expressed her enthusiasm for raising awareness about food security. “As a dietitian, I’ve been engaging with schools and communities through health talks, but addressing thousands of people on stage will be a new experience for me,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of her chosen topic, noting that many people in Fiji, particularly in the North, face food insecurity. “Access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food is limited due to various financial circumstances, scarcity of resources, price fluctuations in the market, the impact of climate change on agriculture, and a heavy reliance on imported foods, which leads to prioritizing quantity over quality.”
To achieve food security, she advocates for sustainable agriculture practices starting at home, such as establishing backyard gardens, growing personal food supplies, and valuing locally produced items.
Miss Varuru has a twin sister and a younger brother. Her mother is a teacher at Wairiki Kindergarten in Labasa, and her father is employed by the Water Authority of Fiji.