Mercy Chatyoka

Mercy Chatyoka has eight years of experience in food processing technology and manufacturing. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology from the University of Zimbabwe; a Diploma in Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Management from NSSA, Zimbabwe; and a master's degree in Food Innovation from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. Mercy is a young woman farmer at heart whose passion for food ranges from organic farming to water harvesting. After completing her master's, she returned to Zimbabwe to make a difference in the food production chain as a farmer and technical specialist. Using her experience as a food technologist, she runs development work that helps young and women farmers to improve household food security and livelihoods. Mercy also has a farming operation that specializes in horticultural crops and animal husbandry, particularly poultry and goat production; the business practices both conventional and organic farming. Mercy is an advocate for girls' empowerment, particularly in STEM. She works as a mentor and teaches computer skills and farming operations to marginalized young girls at Girls Speak Out (The Usawa Institute). She also works with Women in Food International as a profiled young woman farmer who has trained and experience in food systems and making agriculture a career and lucrative business of choice for youth.