Vika Vataniyaragi Tadu Varuru, 25, aspires to win the Miss Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North title to positively influence her community and promote food security in Fiji for sustainable living.
Backed by the Northern Civil Service, the dietitian from the Labasa Health Centre is one of nine contestants participating in this week’s festival at Subrail Park in Labasa.
Originally from Nasinu Village in Navatu, Cakaudrove, she has maternal ties to Yavea, Vanuabalavu in Lau.
“As a dietitian, I have been visiting schools and communities to conduct health awareness sessions, but addressing a large audience on that stage will be a new challenge for me,” Miss Varuru shared.
She aims to highlight the importance of food security and make a significant difference in local communities.
“I chose this topic because many people in Fiji, especially in the North, are facing food insecurity.
“We struggle with access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food due to various financial situations, limited resources, market price fluctuations, climate change impacts on agriculture, and heavy reliance on imported foods, leading people to prioritize quantity over quality.
“To achieve food security, we must embrace sustainable agriculture, starting with home gardens, growing our own food, and valuing locally sourced products,” she explained.
She has a twin sister and a younger brother. Her mother is a teacher at Wairiki Kindergarten in Labasa, while her father is an employee of the Water Authority of Fiji.