Vika Vataniyaragi Tadu Varuru, 25, aspires to win the Miss Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North title to promote positive community initiatives aimed at achieving food security in Fiji for sustainable living. Sponsored by Northern Civil Service, the dietitian from Labasa Health Centre is one of nine contestants participating in this week’s festival at Subrail Park in Labasa.
Originally from Nasinu Village in Cakaudrove, with maternal ties to Yavea, Vanuabalavu, Lau, Varuru expressed excitement about her platform. “As a dietitian, I’ve been visiting schools and communities conducting awareness and health talks, but speaking to thousands of people on that stage will be a new experience for me,” she said.
Her goal is to shine a light on food security and create a lasting impact in various communities. She explained the reasoning behind her focus: “I chose this topic because a majority of people in Fiji, including those in the North, are food insecure. We lack access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food due to various financial backgrounds, resource availability, market price fluctuations, climate change affecting agriculture, and a heavy reliance on imported foods, leading people to prioritize quantity over quality.”
To combat food insecurity, Varuru advocates for sustainable agricultural practices, emphasizing the importance of backyard gardens and the consumption of locally produced foods. She has a twin sister and a younger brother, and her mother works as a teacher at Wairiki Kindergarten in Labasa, while her father is employed by the Water Authority of Fiji.