Vika Vataniyaragi Tadu Varuru, 25, is vying for the Miss Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North title with the goal of promoting food security in Fiji for a sustainable future. Sponsored by Northern Civil Service, Varuru is one of nine contestants participating in the festival at Subrail Park in Labasa this week.
Originally from Nasinu Village in Navatu, Cakaudrove, she has maternal ties to Yavea, Vanuabalavu, Lau. As a dietitian at the Labasa Health Centre, she has previously conducted health awareness sessions in schools and communities. However, speaking to a large audience on stage will be a new challenge for her.
Varuru aims to focus on the issue of food security, emphasizing that many people in Fiji, particularly in the north, face food insecurity. She explained, “Many individuals lack access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food due to various financial situations, limited resources, fluctuating market prices, the impact of climate change on agriculture, and a heavy reliance on imported foods, leading people to prioritize quantity over quality.”
To enhance food security, she advocates for sustainable agricultural practices, starting with home gardens and the cultivation of locally produced foods. Varuru has a twin sister and a younger brother. Her mother works as a teacher at Wairiki Kindergarten in Labasa, while her father is employed by the Water Authority of Fiji.