Every day, we see clear evidence that our world is changing through the ongoing pandemic, rising prices and international tensions that impact food security. In Fiji, these challenges make life harder for people who already struggle to get food on the table.
The solution is to build a sustainable Fiji where everyone, everywhere has regular access to enough nutritious food, leaving no one behind.
Australia Awards scholars Taina Waqaliva, Ritnesh Prasad, and Adi Asenaca Rusewele agree.
All three scholars are currently studying related courses in Australia and are excited to share their thoughts on food security, and their aspirations to provide safe and nutritious food in line with the focus of this years’ World Food Day.
Taina, who has a background in food health and safety focusing on compliance, is currently studying a Master of Food Science at the University of Melbourne.
“For people back home, climate-resilient solutions such as improving skills, knowledge and understanding on the science behind food is a start to ensure food is safe and nutritious.”
“Having worked as a health inspector, I want to improve their skills, knowledge and understanding on the science behind food and how they can enforce regulations pragmatically alongside the food industry to ensure production of safe and quality food; at the same time, work together with the agricultural sector to improve food safety measures at the farm level.”
Ritnesh is a first-year student studying a Master of Food Science & Agribusiness at Monash University. He has experience as a dietician in Fiji’s health sector and is passionate to learn about global food engineering, processing and creation and how this can be adapted to improve Fiji’s overall nutrition rates.
“I hope to educate Fijians on using more local food in diets and cooking while at the same time bringing Fijian foods to the forefront globally.”
“I’d like to make a difference and provide solutions to issues such as: food insecurity which has become more prevalent during the pandemic, malnutrition rates and rise of noncommunicable diseases, nutritious composition of foods and local food innovation.”
Finally, Asenaca a final-year Bachelor of Science (Honors) student at the University of Southern Queensland, who previously worked with Fiji’s Ministry of Agriculture, plans to use what she has learned from her study to better support and advise farmers on crop production.
“Food security is everyone’s business. Through my studies, I want to help farmers improve existing knowledge and skills to increase their crop yield and boost their farming business, so that there is consistent supply of local fresh root crops, fruits, and vegetables as well as for exports, which is a source of income for the country.”
We look forward to how these three scholars will apply the knowledge and skills from their Australian degrees once they’re back home.
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