Mercy Chatyoka
Ms Mercy Chatyoka is a Food Technologist by training and experience who holds a Master’s degree in Food Innovation from University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy), BSc in Food Science and Technology from the University of Zimbabwe, Diploma in Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Management from NSSA (Zim). Mercy has at least eight years cumulative experience in the various fields of food processing technology, food manufacturing processes and quality assurance, quality and food safety management systems implementation and auditing, food innovation, research and development and regulatory affairs, food fortification, sustainable food systems and occupational safety and health. Aside from her formal training as a Food Technologist, Mercy is a young woman farmer at heart. It is this passion for food that made her pursue a unique Master’s degree in Food Innovation where she learnt about sustainable food systems, improving food security through embracing innovative farming and agricultural practices like organic farming, climate smart agriculture (CSA), water harvesting, agro-ecology and farming as a lucrative business. She decided she will not stay in Europe upon completion of her Masters but come back to Zimbabwe and make a difference in the food production chain as a farmer and technical specialist. Using her experience as a Food Technologist she runs voluntary development work which is focused on young small holder and women farmers focused to improve household food security and livelihoods through training these groups of farmers to aim for the viable markets including export by ensuring production of quality and food safe products. Her farming operation specialises in horticultural crops and animal husbandry particularly poultry (indigenous breeds) and goat production, a business where she practices conventional, conservation and organic farming.